Pakistan
Pakistan’s “Swing State”
South Punjab has become a “swing state” in Pakistan. Fortunes and misfortunes alike can be swayed by where the region chooses to place allegiance.
In the 2018 general elections, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was able to form a government in the center and in Punjab when South Punjab decided to swing its way.
One of the major reasons for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N)’s failure in the region was the absolute abandonment of the area by Shehbaz Sharif’s administration. As compared to the development work that was done in Lahore and Central Punjab, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur were sidelined.
And so, a South Punjab faction was created just a month before the general elections out of the electables that belong to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and PML-N. Some of the names now waxing eloquent about the injustices wrought in the region had earlier been elected on Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) tickets too. Most of the men in the faction were feudals, gaddi-nasheens or land holders. Under the right circumstances, these politicians have been most beneficial for whomever Lady Luck is going to bestow her smile upon.
As per our constitution, Punjab is one province. But that is where the legalities end. In the minds of the people of Punjab, the south is a distinctly separate region. South Punjabis would be delighted if they get recognized as Seraiki Province. But at this point they will make do with just a title carrying just their geographic location, just as long as their dream is fulfilled.
The PTI infamously promised that within the first 100 days of the party taking charge in the capital, it will begin proceedings to carve out a South Punjab province. For one year, the issue remained dead. Once the media started discussing the issue, a South Punjab Secretariat was created. It remained toothless with Lahore still taking all the decisions pertaining to the southern districts. An administrative attempt not backed up by political will was bound to crash. Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, described with much fanfare as a man who belonged to a backward area, decided that he did not want to be the administrator of just Central Punjab. And so the notification became a mere piece of paper.
Buzdar has said that South Punjab remains high on his agenda. He asks that no heed be paid to the propaganda of naysayers. One is tempted to ask him if the notification was suspended on the advice of the naysayers. Whatever the political reasons behind, the fact remains that the South Punjab issue is going to be raised once more. Once again, the main characters will be the politicians who have spent time in the stables of all political parties. South Punjab itself will remain woefully underdeveloped and ignored. Relentless poverty forces people to leave their homes and make their way towards bigger cities. Universities churn out graduates who will get no jobs. Vocational institutes and few and far in between. Industrial infrastructure is absent. The few agricultural reforms that were adopted will be dropped after the suspension of the notification.
PTI will have to pay heavy political costs for taking this decision. Delusioned by PPP and PML-N, the voters of South Punjab had looked towards PTI in the hope of getting their own province and equal development opportunities. After 31 months in power, Imran Khan has been unable to fulfill even a single electoral promise made to the entire country. Far from getting rid of IMF, we are now about to hand over State Bank of Pakistan to them. Instead of recovering looted wealth from former rulers, the PTI went into seat adjustment with them in the senate elections. If all failures are mentioned here, we may run out of space.
PPP has been trying to return to its past strength in Punjab since eight years now. It tried to bring PML-Q into power with the help of PML-N. But for Nawaz Sharif’s party, sharing government with a competent Chief Minister was a worse option than sitting in the opposition with a very incompetent one.
But now, PPP must be hoping anew for elusive success in the province. It has started reforming party structure and reconnecting with the central players of the area. It is true that the people of South Punjab have a soft corner for PPP. Meanwhile, powerful circles are once again ready to use the area as a swing state. Political heavyweights may be handed over to PPP if PDM is truly finished.
If that does happen, then PPP’s road to Islamabad and Lahore may well be obstacle free.
The writer tweets at @asimdogar76
Pakistan
Pakistan conducts anti-terror operations in Afghanistan
The Foreign Office says the operation targeted terrorists affiliated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in Pakistan in collaboration with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Lahore: The Foreign Office (FO) confirmed on Monday that Pakistan conducted “intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations” within Afghanistan's border regions, shortly after Kabul reported airstrikes on its territory resulting in eight fatalities.
The Foreign Office said that the operation targeted terrorists affiliated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in Pakistan in collaboration with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These attacks have led to the deaths of civilians and law enforcement personnel, including the recent incident claiming seven Pakistani soldiers' lives in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.
The airstrikes followed President Asif Ali Zardari's declaration of retaliation for the soldiers' deaths, emphasizing Pakistan's resolve to defend its borders and territory against any aggression. The Hafiz Gul Bahadar group had claimed responsibility for the Mir Ali attack, with security officials noting their operations from the Afghan side, particularly in Khost.
These strikes coincide with increased communication between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban leadership. Pakistan's envoy in Kabul recently met with Mullah Shirin Akhund, the Taliban governor of southern Kandahar, indicating ongoing diplomatic engagements.
The FO reiterated Pakistan's longstanding concerns to the Afghan government regarding terrorist elements, including TTP, finding sanctuary in Afghanistan and launching attacks into Pakistan. Emphasizing respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty, Pakistan consistently advocated for dialogue and cooperation to address shared security challenges.
Expressing dismay over certain Afghan authorities' support for TTP, the FO urged a reconsideration of such policies, highlighting Pakistan's historical support for Afghanistan.
It underscored the collective threat posed by groups like TTP to regional peace and affirmed Pakistan's commitment to collaborative counterterrorism efforts.
Pakistan reaffirmed its dedication to finding joint solutions to combat terrorism and prevent any strain on bilateral relations with Afghanistan.
Pakistan
Three-month budget worth Rs4480.7bn unveiled for Punjab
From the federations' distributable income under the NFC award, Punjab anticipates 2706 billion 40 crore rupees, while provincial revenue is forecasted at 625.30 billion rupees, showing a 25 percent increase from the previous year.
Lahore: The Punjab Assembly on Monday unveiled the proposed three-month budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, totaling 4480.7 billion rupees, with an estimated income of 3331 billion 70 crore rupees.
From the federations' distributable income under the NFC award, Punjab anticipates 2706 billion 40 crore rupees, while provincial revenue is forecasted at 625.30 billion rupees, showing a 25 percent increase from the previous year.
While the provincial revenue has been estimated at 625.30 billion rupees with an increase of 25 percent from last year in which 240 billion rupees are expected to be collected from the Punjab Revenue Authority with a 26 percent increase, 99.20 billion rupees from the Board of Revenue with a 4 percent increase and 45.50 billion rupees from the Excise Department with a 5 percent increase.
The spokesman said that the non-tax revenue has been estimated at 231.80 billion rupees with an increase of 42 percent. In the current financial year, 513.73 billion rupees for salaries, 392.10 billion rupees for pensions and 627.70 billion rupees have been allocated for local governments.
The development budget for the financial year 2023-24 is estimated at 655 billion rupees, while the amount allocated for projects / programs / grants supported by foreign aid is 113.2 billion rupees. 36 percent of the development budget consists of social sector, 39 percent infrastructure, 8 percent production sector and 4 percent services sector. Similarly, 13 percent of the development budget has been allocated for various programs and public welfare special initiatives.
The spokesman said that compared to the current budget of the last financial year of Rs 1712 billion, the current budget estimate for this year is Rs 2074 billion. Social security measures are estimated at 20 billion rupees, the rate of increase in salaries and pensions of provincial employees is 35 percent in the basic pay scale for grades 1 to 16.
Whereas, according to the basic pay scale of grades 17 to 22, the salaries have been increased by 30 percent and the pension has been increased by 17 percent. The spokesperson said that a provincial database authority will be established with Rs 50 crore to have accurate data for various sectors. And proper planning is possible according to the needs of urban and rural areas.
A total of Rs 473.62 billion has been earmarked for the health sector. The provincial government will start four programs for complete overhauling of rural health centers and primary health centers with 40 billion rupees so that no citizen is deprived of the right to health. Nawaz Sharif Institute of Cancer Treatment and Research will be constructed in Lahore with 30 billion rupees for which an initial amount of Rs 50 crore has been kept in the development budget of the last three months of the current financial year.
The spokesman said that 45 billion rupees have been set aside for the public-friendly and poor-promoting health insurance program in the current financial year. New day care centers for working women will be established across Punjab with one billion rupees. The spokesman said that an amount of 1.40 billion rupees has been allocated in the development budget for the welfare of religious minorities. The spokesman said that a total of 79.12 billion rupees have been allocated for the development of the agriculture sector. The spokesman said that a total amount of 25.75 billion rupees has been allocated in the transport sector for travel facilities.
The spokesman said that a journalist endowment fund of one billion rupees will be established so that media works can be provided with the best medical treatment as well as support for the families of martyred or deceased media works. Along with this, a big program of construction and repair of 82 roads and highways is being started with 320 billion rupees, through which 2659 km long roads will be repaired.
The spokesman said that Rs. 5 billion will be spent on the project of "Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar" program, Rs. 2 billion will be spent on selected buses and Rs. 1 billion on the project of electric bikes for smog-free Punjab. Under Suthra Punjab, a program of 2 billion rupees for solid waste management, 5 billion rupees for repairing streets and sewers, and a project of CM Plant for Pakistan will be started with 1 billion rupees.
The spokesman said that the Nawaz Sharif IT City in Lahore would be started with 10 billion rupees, the Global IT Certification Program with 1 billion rupees and the Punjab Dastak program with 25 crore rupees.
By which people would be able to benefit from 43 government services sitting at home. The spokesman said that the Punjab government has allocated 236.37 billion rupees for important social sectors such as education, health, water supply and sanitation, women's development, sports and youth affairs, population welfare and social security which is 36 percent of the current financial year's development budget.
The spokesman said that a total of 595.8 billion rupees have been set aside for the education sector in the current financial year Out of which 537.40 billion rupees have been kept under non-developmental budget Which is 26 percent of the total non-development budget of the current financial year.
“57.68 billion rupees have been allocated for the development budget of the education sector, which is 9 percent of the total development budget,” said the spokesperson. Out of the overall development budget allocated for the education sector, 44.41 billion rupees have been earmarked for school education, 9.36 billion rupees for higher education, 2.99 billion rupees for the literacy and non-formal education department, and 92 crore rupees for special education.
Entertainment
Honey Singh bonds with Pakistani Artist Faris Shafi
The Indian rapper takes to Instagram to share the moments of the company with Pakistani artist, saying that “Welcome my brother from LAHORE the hip-hop Icon one and only @farishafi,”.
Mumbai: The recent friendly interaction between Indian rapper Honey Singh and Pakistani artist Faris Shafi has sparked excitement among fans on both sides of the border.
Taking to Instagram, Honey Singh shared a glimpse of their meeting at a recording studio, capturing the essence of their friendship with a supportive comment.
He wrote, “Welcome my brother from LAHORE the hip-hop Icon one and only @farishafi,”
View this post on Instagram
Honey Singh had previously praised Faris in an interview, hailing him as an exceptional artist.
In the snapshot, Honey Singh is dressed in all-black attire while Faris sports a stylish grey kurta and pants ensemble.
-
Regional 1 day ago
PHA unveils cutting-edge running track at Jilani Park
-
Regional 2 days ago
PPP to support Jan Baledi, Aimal Wali for senate elections
-
Regional 2 days ago
Asifa Bhutto to contest on NA-207 for by-elections
-
Business 2 days ago
LCCI president urges PM to facilitate taxpayers amidst economic challenges
-
Pakistan 10 hours ago
Pakistan conducts anti-terror operations in Afghanistan
-
Pakistan 2 days ago
KP CM Gandapur meets Imran Khan in Adiala Jail
-
Crime 2 days ago
Leader of tax evasion group arrested from Karachi Airport
-
Regional 2 days ago
Muhammad Aurangzeb submits papers for senate elections