Pakistan

My way is the highway

Written

3 years ago

Feb 09, 2021 01:51 AM

Imran Yaqub Khan

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

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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Govt committed to overcome challenge of growing plastic pollution: Romina Khurshid

Prime Minister's Coordinator on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam highlights the unprecedented importance of the role of the young people in weeding out plastic pollution from the society and supporting government's efforts in this regard.

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Islamabad: The federal government is committed to overcome the challenge of growing plastic pollution and all the stakeholders concerned are being approached and taken on board to make Pakistan a plastic-free country.

This resolve was expressed by Prime Minister's Coordinator on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam, while addressing the concluding ceremony of the Margalla Hills Half-Marathon in Islamabad on Sunday.

She highlighted the unprecedented importance of the role of the young people in weeding out plastic pollution from the society and supporting government's efforts in this regard.

The 21-km long marathon was jointly organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Islamabad Wildlife Management Board and various civil society organisations.

The event started from the Trail-5 and was attended by around 200 marathoners. Women and children also participated in the marathon.

Business

Pakistan’s economy on recovery path amid global tides: Governor SBP

Jameel Ahmad says that inflation had reached 38 per cent, the FX reserves were fast depleting, the exchange rate was under a lot of pressure and uncertainty was quite high.

Published

5 hours ago

Apr 28, 2024 10:02 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Karachi: Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad said that the firm commitment of the government and the SBP to respond to the macroeconomic challenges has resulted in significant improvement and Pakistan’s economy is on the path to recovery amid global challenges.

The SBP governor, while delivering a keynote address to the Members Convocation of ICMA Pakistan late Saturday night, elaborated on the recent improvement in Pakistan’s economy and shared that it is worth taking a step back and analysing where our economy is standing and where it is headed.

Referring to the challenging macroeconomic environment Pakistan was facing a year ago, he said that inflation had reached 38 per cent, the FX reserves were fast depleting, the exchange rate was under a lot of pressure and uncertainty was quite high.

However, today, inflation is coming down sharply, our reserves have risen to around US$8 billion despite heavy debt repayments and will so cross the $ 9 billion mark, the current account deficit has narrowed quite significantly, and as a result, the PKR is stable while the stock market is reaching new highs, Jameel Ahmed stated adding that uncertainty has also reduced and Pakistan’s bilateral and multilateral partners are continuing their support.

The governor, while citing Pakistan’s economic improvements, shared that progress was made possible because of a firm commitment of the government and the State Bank of Pakistan to effectively respond to the macroeconomic challenges.

“Unpopular yet necessary measures had to be taken as the State Bank raised the policy rate to 22 per cent, in order to reduce pressure on inflation and the current account,” the SBP governor said and added that the government also undertook fiscal consolidation by constraining non-essential current expenditures and the coordinated policy response was now yielding the desired results.

Governor SBP stressed the need for fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to address the longstanding issues facing our economy and said that fresh perspectives and innovative thinking have become more necessary, as the global shocks facing our economy are getting increasingly complex. He shared that climate change, technological advancements, cyber security threats, and financial innovations are adding new dimensions to the risks to economic and financial stability.

Governor Jameel Ahmad congratulated the graduating accounting professionals and encouraged them to make a mark for themselves and proactively respond to the emerging challenges as our country needs professionals with in-depth knowledge of economics, finance and accounting to find workable solutions.

He said that leadership skills are also paramount to designing and implementing the policy and regulatory decisions with courage and fortitude. In conclusion, the Governor encouraged the graduates to work with dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to excellence to help in shaping the economic landscape of Pakistan.

Earlier, President ICMA Pakistan Shehzad Ahmed Malik extended a warm welcome to Governor SBP Jameel Ahmed, Deputy Governor Dr. Inayat Hussain and Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah for attending the Convocation. He congratulated the SBP team on their efforts for stabilizing the economy.

In the end, Governor SBP bestowed degrees upon the graduating CMAs.

Sports

Gillespie to coach Pakistan in red-ball cricket, Kirsten in white-ball cricket

The three appointments have been made for a two-year period following a recruitment process.

Published

8 hours ago

Apr 28, 2024 06:48 PM

Hussnain Bhutta

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board has today confirmed Jason Gillespie as the red-ball head coach and Gary Kirsten as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team. Azhar Mahmood has also been confirmed as an assistant coach across all formats.

The three appointments have been made for a two-year period following a recruitment process.

Kirsten will take charge of the side immediately after completing his assignment in the Indian Premier League. During his tenure, besides the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and other bilateral white-ball series, Kirsten will also be in charge of the side for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, ACC T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Gillespie will assume responsibilities for the ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh (at home in August), which will be followed by Tests against England (at home in October) and South Africa (away in December) in the 2024-25 season.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi:

“I extend my congratulations to Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten on their appointments as the red and white-ball head coaches of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, respectively. Their stellar track records precede them, and I warmly welcome them to the Pakistan cricket family.

“Jason’s coaching career has been marked by success both at the domestic and international levels, with a focus on player development and achieving excellence in team performance. Gary’s coaching career has been marked by his ability to instill a winning mentality, develop young talent, and achieve success at the highest levels of the game, making him one of the most respected and sought-after coaches in cricket.

“In this background, I have every confidence that their expertise will guide our players to reach new heights, aligning with their inherent talent and the expectations of our passionate fans. These high-quality appointments also present a remarkable opportunity for our players to glean insights from these seasoned professionals, refining their skills and fortifying their cricketing acumen.

“The PCB is unwavering in its commitment to furnish the national team with top-tier resources and facilities, fostering an environment conducive to unlocking their full potential and consistently delivering stellar performances.”

Jason Gillespie:

“I am grateful to the PCB for their faith in my abilities and giving me the honour of coaching one of the most highly-regarded and talented cricket teams in the traditional format of the sport. Leading the Pakistan cricket team is a big achievement for any coach, given its rich legacy and passionate fan base.

“I love Test cricket and being able to focus on that is something I like very much. I also love the fact that there is so much talent in Pakistan. I like to think that I can help in some way to grow and develop the players. I want to win Tests – that is why I am taking this role. I love winning and I know we have got the skill to make that happen.

“The ICC World Test Championship is the ultimate in the Test format. I understand this cycle is likely to prove too great a task as we would need to win a lot of matches in a short space of time to have any chance of making the final, but aspiring to be in that final, and to winning it, has to be a medium- to long-term goal for us.

“Ultimately, it is all about playing the style of cricket we want to play, one that helps us win matches, excites the public and puts smiles on the faces of everyone connected with Pakistan cricket.

“Within Pakistan we have a number of high-quality fast bowlers and being able to utilise them will be a key part of any success we enjoy. But we have quality in all departments – pace, spin, batting and keeping. We have all bases covered. It is exciting to know we have that talent and I am looking forward to working with such talented players.

“I understand there will be expectation and that comes with the role. All I can do is to take it in my stride and I would not have taken on the job if I did not think I could deal with it.”

Gary Kirsten:

“It’s a tremendous honour to be entrusted with the responsibility of coaching the Pakistan men’s national team in white-ball cricket and to rejoin the international cricket arena after some time. I eagerly anticipate this opportunity and aim to contribute positively to the Pakistan men's national team in limited-overs cricket.

“One of the beautiful aspects of cricket is its universality. Across cultures, there’s a shared understanding when we discuss the game. My goal is to unite the Pakistan men’s white-ball team, harnessing their considerable talents towards a common objective, and achieving success together on the field.

“My perspective on Pakistan cricket has remained consistent over time. There’s always an inherent expectation for the team to perform at a high level consistently. However, in team sports, maintaining peak performance is not always guaranteed. As a coach, it’s immensely gratifying to assist players in unlocking their full potential. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with the individual players and the team, facilitating their growth and development.

“For cricket enthusiasts globally, Pakistan players are a familiar sight, showcasing their skills across various platforms. It's truly a joy to watch them play the game.

“Understanding the current state of the team and charting a path towards our desired goals is paramount. Winning ICC Events, while challenging, remains a significant objective. Whether it’s the upcoming tournament in June or events in the future, achieving success in these competitions would be a remarkable feat.

“My primary objective is to ensure the team operates at its optimal level. Success on the field is contingent upon the team performing at its best. Consistency and continuity are values I hold dear. While player form fluctuations are inevitable, maintaining a stable environment is crucial. I am committed to supporting players through their ups and downs, prioritising continuity in selections whenever possible.”

About Jason Gillespie:

The 49-year-old former Australia fast bowler played 71 Tests, 97 ODIs and 1 T20I from 1996-2006, taking a total of 402 wickets and accumulating 1,531 runs. His best bowling figures in an innings were seven for 37 against England at Headingley in July 1997, while his Test best score was against Bangladesh in Chattogram in April 2006 when he scored 201 not out

In four Tests against Pakistan, he took 10 wickets; in 13 ODIs, he took 21 wickets

Was part of the Australia squad that won the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2003 in South Africa

Is an ECB accredited Level 4 coach, having completed the two-year course from the University of Gloucestershire

Coached Yorkshire County Cricket Club to back-to-back County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015

Is credited with the development of England stars Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance and Joe Root during his time with Yorkshire

Also coached Adelaide Strikers from 2015-2024, guiding the side to the BBL title in the 2017-18 season; Sussex from 2018-2020 and South Australia from 2020-2024

Coached in Zimbabwe from 2010-2012, also served for two months as the interim head coach of the Papua New Guinea national cricket team in 2017, where he helped the side prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier

About Gary Kirsten:

The 56-year-old former South Africa top-order batter played 101 Tests and 185 ODIs from 1993-2004 in which he accumulated a total of 14,087 runs with 34 centuries

In 11 Tests against Pakistan, he scored 838 runs at 55.86; in 24 ODIs, he scored 1,054 runs at 55.47

Was a member of the South Africa side that won the ICC Knock-Out Trophy 1998 (now known as ICC Champions Trophy); played in three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups from 1996 to 2003

Coached India from 2008-2011 and helped them to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2011 title as well as No.1 position on the ICC Test Team Rankings

Coached South Africa men’s cricket team from 2011-2013 and inspired them to No.1 position on the ICC Test Team Rankings

Coached the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Presently batting coach and mentor of Gujarat Titans, who won the 2022 Indian Premier League