PML-N will ‘quietly’ reach out to PTI for talks

While the appointment of the army chief has seemingly averted one crisis, the standoff between the ruling coalition and PTI still looms large on the issue of snap polls as the political mercury is expected to rise once again owing to Imran Khan’s long march scheduled to commence on Nov 26 (today). With Rawalpindi bracing to accommodate several thousand people and Imran Khan allowed by his doctors to make strides towards the garrison city, everything seems set for the rally. The PTI leaders claim to know nothing about the ‘what’s-next’ of the march while maintaining that the party chief was keeping all the cards close to his chest regarding his plans. However, the most likely possibility seems to be that of a prolonged stay. The leaders say that their party’s chief demand to the government will be for a date for fresh elections. Read more: PTI granted permission for Faizabad sit-in Meanwhile, the PMLN government, on the other hand, claims that no compromise would be made on the issue of early elections “even if it came at the cost of their federal government”. Explaining the rationale for not budging, the ruling party says the move would be unwise and without an economic turnaround, their chances of making a comeback to power would be very slim. A PML-N insider talking on the condition of anonymity said that it was in the best interest of his party to bring PTI to the negotiation table. However, he conceded that they do not have “any face-saving to offer to Imran Khan to allow him to use it as an excuse to call off his march”. He said if Imran refrains from escalating bitterness any further, the government will reach out to his party to convince them to come to the negotiating table and come back to the assembly. “All this would be done behind the curtains,” he revealed and said that the PTI had no constitutional mechanism to bring the government down. He further said “no help is coming their way from the power that be” and therefore, the PTI will be pretty much all on its own. “The PML-N too is finding itself in a blind alley, with the only way out blocked by Imran Khan,” he added. Nawaz’s return Commenting on the return of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and party vice-president Maryam Nawaz, the party insider said the father-daughter duo was expected to return in either the last week of December or the start of January. The party will use the return of the PML-N supremo to stir a wave of hope amongst their workers and voters. In addition, Nawaz’s return would mark the start of PML-N’s political campaign. Moreover, Hamza Shehbaz has been also holding meetings for the last two weeks and would make his comeback to the political arena in the coming weeks. Also read: Rana Sanaullah raises alarm over security ahead of PTI long march However, he conceded that the party was in dire need of “a workable narrative” and regretted that Nawaz Sharif will rely on his old narrative which, he feared, will not resonate with party voters. “All this would require time, and time is PTI was in no mood to cede.” ‘Imran playing cards close to his chest Meanwhile, Advisor to Home Affairs Omer Sarfraz Cheema told The Express Tribune that Imran Khan had not shared his plan with party leaders, adding that there indeed was a plan, but the rest of the part was not kept in the loop. Cheema said the main objective behind the party’s anti-government activities was to squeeze out a date for fresh elections from the government. It is pertinent to mention here that PTI had already toned down its narrative regarding the establishment and instead had trained all its guns towards the PDM government.

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PML-N will ‘quietly’ reach out to PTI for talks

While the appointment of the army chief has seemingly averted one crisis, the standoff between the ruling coalition and PTI still looms large on the issue of snap polls as the political mercury is expected to rise once again owing to Imran Khan’s long march scheduled to commence on Nov 26 (today). With Rawalpindi bracing to accommodate several thousand people and Imran Khan allowed by his doctors to make strides towards the garrison city, everything seems set for the rally. The PTI leaders claim to know nothing about the ‘what’s-next’ of the march while maintaining that the party chief was keeping all the cards close to his chest regarding his plans. However, the most likely possibility seems to be that of a prolonged stay. The leaders say that their party’s chief demand to the government will be for a date for fresh elections. Read more: PTI granted permission for Faizabad sit-in Meanwhile, the PMLN government, on the other hand, claims that no compromise would be made on the issue of early elections “even if it came at the cost of their federal government”. Explaining the rationale for not budging, the ruling party says the move would be unwise and without an economic turnaround, their chances of making a comeback to power would be very slim. A PML-N insider talking on the condition of anonymity said that it was in the best interest of his party to bring PTI to the negotiation table. However, he conceded that they do not have “any face-saving to offer to Imran Khan to allow him to use it as an excuse to call off his march”. He said if Imran refrains from escalating bitterness any further, the government will reach out to his party to convince them to come to the negotiating table and come back to the assembly. “All this would be done behind the curtains,” he revealed and said that the PTI had no constitutional mechanism to bring the government down. He further said “no help is coming their way from the power that be” and therefore, the PTI will be pretty much all on its own. “The PML-N too is finding itself in a blind alley, with the only way out blocked by Imran Khan,” he added. Nawaz’s return Commenting on the return of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and party vice-president Maryam Nawaz, the party insider said the father-daughter duo was expected to return in either the last week of December or the start of January. The party will use the return of the PML-N supremo to stir a wave of hope amongst their workers and voters. In addition, Nawaz’s return would mark the start of PML-N’s political campaign. Moreover, Hamza Shehbaz has been also holding meetings for the last two weeks and would make his comeback to the political arena in the coming weeks. Also read: Rana Sanaullah raises alarm over security ahead of PTI long march However, he conceded that the party was in dire need of “a workable narrative” and regretted that Nawaz Sharif will rely on his old narrative which, he feared, will not resonate with party voters. “All this would require time, and time is PTI was in no mood to cede.” ‘Imran playing cards close to his chest Meanwhile, Advisor to Home Affairs Omer Sarfraz Cheema told The Express Tribune that Imran Khan had not shared his plan with party leaders, adding that there indeed was a plan, but the rest of the part was not kept in the loop. Cheema said the main objective behind the party’s anti-government activities was to squeeze out a date for fresh elections from the government. It is pertinent to mention here that PTI had already toned down its narrative regarding the establishment and instead had trained all its guns towards the PDM government.

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‘Govt striving to expand free medical treatment’

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that the government is trying to provide maximum free treatment facilities to the people of the province through the Sehat Sahulat Card. Presiding over a meeting at the Punjab Health Initiative Management Company (PHIMC), she said dengue patients were also getting free treatment from selected government hospitals through the card. She said the people of Punjab would be provided more facilities under the scheme. Special Secretary Syed Wajid Ali Shah and PHIMC CEO Dr Ali Razaq gave a detailed briefing to the minister. Dr Rashid said the initiative was aimed at providing free treatment to all the families of Punjab through empaneled government and private hospitals. According to official statistics, more than 2.777 million people in Punjab have received free treatment through the Sehat card worth Rs73.208 billion. Patients are getting free treatment from 181 government and 618 private hospitals under the scheme. More than 611,000 people have undergone dialysis, 62,800 coronary angiography, 40,900 hernia surgery, 42,900 chemotherapy, 30,800 angioplasty and 26,000 eye surgery with the help of the health card. Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2022.

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Environmental impact of corporate investments reviewed

The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in collaboration with Coca-Cola içecek Pakistan held a seminar on community investments related to the environment, governance, and sustainability. Three masterclasses were delivered to highlight these areas of impact by Zouhair Khaliq, CEO of National Incubation Centre and founder of TeamUp; Afia Salam, Trustee of Indus Earth; and Fahad Ashraf, Vice President of Coca-Cola, Pakistan. Sana Maqbool, General Manager of NUST’s Corporate Relations hosted the event and spoke about the role of NUST in creating powerful collaborations through public-private partnerships. A panel discussion titled “Making a Difference” asked industry experts and academics to weigh in on the link between innovation and sustainability through global best practices. The panel also discussed a report authored by NUST’s Deputy Director of Sustainability, Barira Hanif, on landmark projects of Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola içecek Pakistan - including the Paani project, Pakistan’s first plastic road, and the recent rollout of bottles made from recycled plastic (rPET). Vice-President of Coca-Cola Pakistan, Fahad Ashraf said, “Nature has already laid down the blueprint for continuity – nothing goes to waste; everything is broken down into basic blocks and reused again, and again – an endless circle. We are committed to bringing in innovators, academics, activists and consumers to fast-track our journey towards a circular economy as close to the ideal as possible.” Speaking at the event, Director of Public Affairs & Communications Coca-Cola içecek Pakistan, Syed Omar Pakistan said “Sustainability is all about responsibility fulfilling the needs of the current generation without compromising the needs of our future generations. We need to prioritize the planet, environment and people in every decision taken.” Muhammed Anwar Fareid, Director of Innovation and Commercialisation Office (ICON) NUST said, “This report is an important step in taking stock of what has been done and gives us the vision of innovations yet to come as far as corporate commitments in waste management, recycling and replenishment of water. For us, there must be more commitments sooner rather than later.” Panellists included Babar Aziz Bhatti, Managing Director of Green Earth Recycling; Barira Hanif, Deputy Director of Sustainability at NUST; Syed Omar, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Coca-Cola içecek Pakistan, Pervaiz Akhtar, Director Corporate Affairs Metro Cash and Carry, and Dr Sher Jamal, Professor IESE at NUST. Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2022.

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Islamabad administration refuses Imran’s helipad request

The Islamabad district administration on Thursday refused to grant permission to PTI Chairman and former premier Imran Khan to land his helicopter at the Parade Ground for November 26 Faizabad rally. The federal government has also extended the implementation of Section 144 in the federal capital for another two months. The district magistrate has issued a notification in this regard. Earlier in the day, the General Headquarters (GHQ) had informed the former ruling party that it had no objection to the landing and taking off of a helicopter, which would carry the PTI chief from Lahore to Islamabad, saying PTI should approach the Capital Development Authority (CDA) or the federal government as the ground was under their jurisdiction. Lieutenant Colonel Rao Farman Ali issued the no objection letter to PTI’s Additional General Secretary Omar Ayub, stating that the “General Headquarters has no objection to the request for placement of helicopter subject to clearance by concerned authorities”. In addition, the GHQ’s letter stated that “it is intimated that Capital Development Authority/Federal Government may be approached as the Parade Ground is under their jurisdiction”. The letter was forwarded for information to the CDA, Inspector General of Police, chief commissioner Islamabad, commissioner, deputy commissioner, city police officer of Rawalpindi, and the Military Operation Directorate. Earlier, PTI President Islamabad Ali Nawaz Awan had submitted an application before the district administration seeking permission for the PTI’s public gathering at Faizabad. He had also sought the capital administration’s approval for the landing and departure of Imran’s helicopter at Parade Ground.

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Pakistan urges global action on Islamophobia

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar stressed on Wednesday the importance of continued and robust inter-religious, inter-civilisational and inter-faith dialogue as a catalyst to promote peaceful co-existence, mutual understanding, and harmony. Addressing the ninth Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), being held in Fez, by Morocco, Khar articulated Pakistan’s perspective and concerns about the growing problem of religious intolerance, discrimination, Islamophobia and violence worldwide. She particularly drew the attention of the delegates towards the state-driven discrimination, hostility and phobia directed against Muslims and Islam, and the ensuing climate of impunity for such heinous acts. “Given its pervasive and widely documented impacts, it is time for the international community and the United Nations to formulate an action plan to meaningfully address the insidious phenomenon of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred,” she said. UNAOC was created in 2005 in response to tensions between the Muslim world and the West in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks in the United States. One of its core objectives is to advance mutual respect for all cultures, traditions and religious beliefs. The 9th Forum is being held under the overarching theme of ‘Towards an Alliance of Peace: Living Together as One Humanity’. As a member of the UNAOC Group of Friends, Pakistan has been actively contributing to advancing the Alliance’s mandate. Meanwhile, Khar met Portuguese Foreign Minister Joao Cravinho on the sidelines of the forum. They discussed ways to enhance bilateral collaboration in diverse fields, a Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a twitter post. The two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the spokesperson added.

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PTI gets a breather in funding case

In a breather to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of the party’s prohibited funding case originally supposed to take place on November 23. A three-member commission headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja heard the case and gave the former ruling party till December 13 to submit its reply to the commission’s show cause notice regarding confiscation. During the hearing, PTI’s assistant counsel appeared before the commission and sought more time, and requested that the hearing should be adjourned. The chief election commissioner remarked that the initial hearing of this case was held on August 23, adding that the matter was over and no further investigation was required. Earlier, the hearing of the has been postponed and delisted from the electoral watchdog's cause list twice. In August earlier this year, the Election Commission of Pakistan had issued its verdict in the prohibited funding case — previously referred to as the foreign funding case — against the PTI, which stated that the party did indeed receive prohibited funding. In the verdict, the commission noted that the party “knowingly and willfully” received funding from Wootton Cricket Limited, operated by business tycoon Arif Naqvi. The party was a “willing recipient” of prohibited money of $2,121,500, it said. The ECP said that the party “knowingly and willfully” also received donations from Bristol Engineering Services (a UAE-based company), E-Planet Trustees (a Cayman Islands private registered company), SS Marketing Manchester (a UK-based private company), PTI USA LLC-6160 and PTI USA LLC-5975 which were “hit by prohibition and in violation of Pakistani laws”. The PTI, however, claims that all money it received was actually donations from Pakistanis living abroad and did not fall under the premise of illegal funding. Subsequently, the FIA kicked off its probe against the PTI and registered a case naming Imran, Sardar Azhar Tariq Khan, Saifullah Khan Nyazee, Syed Yunus Ali Raza, Aamer Mehmood Kiani, Tariq Rahim Sheikh, Tariq Shafi, Faisal Maqbool Shaikh, Hamid Zaman and Manzoor Ahmad Chaudhary as signatories/beneficiaries of the PTI account in question. Later, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had granted the PTI chairman protective bail in the case and transferred the case to a banking court.

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