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My way is the highway

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Can opposition parties breathe new life into Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) through the announcement of a long march scheduled for March 26? Well, that depends. All the parties in the alliance will have to take their movement more seriously than before, and do the homework this time round.

Imran Yaqub Khan Profile Imran Yaqub Khan

Among other decisions taken by the PDM was the important announcement that they will field joint candidates on some seats in the upcoming senate elections. Decisions on resignations and no-confidence movement were postponed, while the appointment of Justice (retd) Azmat Saeed to probe Broadsheet, and the amendment to hold Senate elections through open ballot were duly rejected. A key development that the media mostly ignored was PDM’s decision to join the protest which will be held by government employees on February 10. These decisions point towards the opposition’s resolve to vex the government both inside the parliament and in political battlegrounds.

At the press conference held after PDM’s meetings, Maulana Fazlur Rehman was accompanied by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Maryam Nawaz. Perhaps the government too would have noticed what was obvious to the media; unlike recent appearances, all three leaders appeared relaxed, confident and on the same page.

When answering questions, Maulana Fazlur Rehman offered reporters no loose ball. He was well supported by the PPP and PML-N leaders at his side. When asked whether he was fighting Imran Khan or the establishment, Fazlur Rehman replied, “Our struggle is against undemocratic processes.”

This reluctance to further spoil the relationship with the establishment will worry the government.

PTI’s strategy so far has been to not let the opposition and the establishment come closer than absolutely necessary. After the PDM moot, the opposition’s strategy is now much clearer too. It will continue protesting against the Speaker in the National Assembly and against the Chairman in Senate, a glimpse of which we saw in the proceedings of the Lower House on Thursday. Unfortunately, both the opposition and the treasury benches behaved most unbecomingly, calling each other thieves, looters, incompetent and even druggies. Then matters escalated to the point where swear words flew across the august hall and physical altercations took place. Differences between the ruling parties and the opposing ones have reached the point where they are unwilling to stand each other for more than 10 minutes. The opposition surrounded Speaker’s dias and removed the mic.

Neither the sanctity of the parliament nor the dignity of the country mattered much at that time.

These scenes fuel the impression that members of parliament are neither interested in national issues nor do they care about the responsibility the venue confers upon those elected to it.

Tens of millions are spent on each session of the National Assembly so that legislation can take place, not for rowdy confrontations between two gangs. Tearing up copies of the agenda and throwing the scraps into the wind is tantamount to throwing tax money into the wind. Alas, neither the opposition is willing to exercise restraint nor the government is willing to be magnanimous.

Outside the assembly, the opposition will become even more aggressive. They know well how inflation and continuous hikes in the price of electricity, gas and fuel has crippled the public’s life. Leaving behind their narratives and ideologies, the opposition has decided it will now enact the politics of the streets. Were PDM to formulate a solid plan and appeal to everyone affected by economic constraints, they might succeed in taking a huge number of people with them on their long march. When asked how long the march will continue, Maryam Nawaz smiled and asked the reporter to wait.

As if that was not enough, PDM’s decision to contest senate elections has also added to government’s worries. This, and not resignations, was the ace up the opposition’s sleeve. Treasury benches appear flummoxed at what to do with the hand they have been dealt. Fazlur Rehman told the media that opposition parties will not contest against each other. On this, all leaders of PDM have agreed. Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif participated in the meeting via videolink. A long discussion ensued after which all decisions were taken unanimously.

The decision to temporarily back off from resignations and no-confidence move was also quite deliberate. Resignations before the senate elections, when members would have used their right to vote, was creating confusion within the ranks. As of now, the order in which the plan will unfold involve first giving the government a tough time in senate while preparing for the long march. In the next meeting, the agenda will revolve around no-confidence movement. In the meantime, PDm will participate in every protest rally that will be held across the country, including the one on February 10.

Despite all this, the opposition needs to work extra hard to revive the people’s trust in itself. They will have to give comprehensive reasons for backing off from their recent slogans. Vitally, they will have to prove that they will not become part of a deal in the future nor that they are vying for an NRO. That, under no circumstances, will Maryam Nawaz leave for London. That, when the time comes for it, PPP will sacrifice Sindh government.

Lastly, it should enforce “my way is the highway”. A long march that truly ends backdoor deals and prevents the theft of votes.

If PDM will achieve all this, then perhaps the fading sun of democracy will shine once again with all its might.

 

This article first appeared in Daily Dunya in Urdu.

 

 

 

 

 

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Election commission Sindh issues final list for senate elections

On women’s two seats between three candidates will be competing for senate elections.

Published by Qurrat Tul Ain

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Karachi: The election commission Sindh has issued the final list of candidates for senate elections.

According to the details, in senate from Sindh 11 candidates will be contesting on seven general seats. In province, Pakistan Peoples party’s (PPP) six, four independent and Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) one candidates will be taking part in senate elections.

Former minister Faisal Vawda will be contesting on general seat as an independent candidate. On women’s two seats between three candidates will be competing for senate elections.

Two women candidates belonged to PPP whereas one is an independent candidate. In technocrat’s four candidates, two belonged to PPP while two are independent candidates.

On minority seat, PPP’s Ponjumil and independent candidate Bhagwan Das will be competing each other.    

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Business

Prof Zaman for heeding IMF proposal for tobacco tax reforms

It is estimated that approximately 8% of Pakistan's population are smokers, making Pakistan one of the most susceptible country to the negative effects of cigarette consumption.

Published by Noor Fatima

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended implementing a uniform tax structure on the tobacco industry to increase revenue.

The report titled 'Pakistan - Tax Policy Diagnostic and Reform Option' emphasizes the need for single tier taxation on both foreign and domestic cigarette manufacturers in Pakistan.

Furthermore, the report suggests that recent tax increases on cigarettes have resulted in a decrease in smoking rate by 20 to 25%.

Professor Muhammad Zaman, the founding chairman of the School of Sociology at Quaid-i-Azam University and the head of Zaman Research Center, supports the IMF's recommendations and highlights the importance of aligning cigarette taxes with guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is estimated that approximately 8% of Pakistan's population are smokers, making Pakistan one of the most susceptible country to the negative effects of cigarette consumption.

Professor Zaman emphasizes that protecting public health should be a priority for policymakers and implementing the IMF's proposed tax measures on tobacco products can help reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with smoking.

He also calls for increased research and advocacy efforts to address the social implications of smoking. He appreciates Capital Calling, an Islamabad based think tank, whose report IMF has referred to laying down its recommendations for tax reforms.

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Business

Govt allows to export flour

It is reported that the cultivation of wheat has exceeded the set target by 1.8%.

Published by Noor Fatima

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Islamabad: The federal government has given conditional permission to export flour abroad.

The Ministry of Commerce has issued a notification for approval to send flour abroad, according to which flour made from imported wheat will be allowed to be exported and flour made from imported wheat can be used for export purposes only.

The government allowed the export of flour under the Export Facilitation Scheme 2021 and the Export Policy Order 2022 has been amended.

According to media reports quoting government sources, there are sufficient and abundant reserves of wheat in the country, while the wheat production target of 32.1 million tons will be achieved this year.

It is reported quoting government sources that the cultivation of wheat has exceeded the set target by 1.8%.

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