ISLAMABAD: The government is weighing options to review a constitutional amendment, which a decade ago granted greater autonomy to provinces.
The 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was passed by the National Assembly in 2010, supported by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
While it primarily turned Pakistan into a parliamentary republic and removed the power of the president to dissolve the parliament, the amendment also devolved 18 federal ministries to the provinces. It also removed a ban on prime minister serving more than two terms, clearing the way for PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif to take office for a third time in 2013.
Amendment to the amendment has been discussed several times since Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came into power in 2018, attracting criticism from the opposition, especially PML-N and PPP.
In its resolve to review the amendment, the ruling party cites the need to fix several flaws and restore federal authority over legislation and financial matters.
"The amendment was a major step towards provincial autonomy in Pakistan, but some flaws have also surfaced in it with the passage of time, which need to be fixed," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan told Arab News in an interview on Wednesday.
He said that while the government strongly believes in provincial autonomy and would not infringe upon provincial rights, it wants "to improve the 18th amendment in consultation with all parliamentary parties."
He said the federation’s authority over legislation and financial matters has been significantly reduced, as provinces are now autonomous to legislate over subjects such as education and health. "This is problematic in many ways … coordination issues (with provinces) have also come up during coronavirus pandemic," he said.
Meanwhile, opposition parties demand that the amendment be first fully implemented before the government starts negotiations to fix it.
"These are the tactics to distract media and public from real issues," Taj Haider, a senior PPP leader, told Arab News.
He said the federation under the amendment was bound to accept provincial ownership over natural resources and hand over 50 percent of its revenue to the relevant province, but the clause has not been implemented.
"The center is denying us (Sindh province) over Rs200 billion annually in our due share of earnings through natural gas and petroleum products," Haider said.
According to PML-N chairman Raja Zafarul Haq the debate is "untimely and useless." He said, "We should move forward instead of looking back into the history."
"The government should first tell us the flaws in the amendment, and then we will decide what to do," Haq said, adding that his party would look into the issue if the government brings in on in parliament.
Independent experts, however, argue that federal concerns over revenue distribution could be genuine as the center is left with little resources to meet its expenses. Provinces get their share from taxes collected by the government by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). In the fiscal year 2011-12, it was increased from 46.5 percent to 57.5 percent, affecting federal development and defense expenditure.
"There is no harm in reviewing the amendment through a democratic process," Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), told Arab News. "Constitution is a living document and can be amended anytime, but this should be after thorough debate in the parliament."
The ruling party lacks the necessary two-third majority in both the National Assembly and Senate to amend the 18th amendment on its own.
Calls for constitutional amendment stir debate over provincial autonomy
https://arab.news/n9teg
Calls for constitutional amendment stir debate over provincial autonomy
- 18th amendment passed in 2010 granted financial and legislative autonomy to provinces
- Under the amendment, federation is bound to accept provincial ownership of natural resources
Pakistan on path to recovery in polio fight after last year’s surge, officials tell donors
- Pakistan reported 74 polio cases in 2024, with six children diagnosed with the virus so far this year
- Pakistani officials say they are closely working with provinces and partners to eradicate the disease
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities working to eradicate polio expressed cautious optimism this week, telling donors that the country was on the path to recovery after recording alarmingly high case numbers last year, thanks to closer coordination with provinces and international partners.
Polio is a crippling disease with no cure, and multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine, along with timely completion of routine immunization for children under five, are essential to building protection against the virus.
Pakistan reported 74 polio cases in 2024. So far, six children have been diagnosed with the virus in the first three months of this year. The government has planned several nationwide immunization campaigns in 2025 to address immunity gaps.
“We are on road to recovery but not yet there,” Muhammad Anwarul Haq, a senior official at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), said during the briefing, according to a social media post by the center on Thursday.
“Working closely with provinces and partners, we will optimize gains from national campaigns scheduled in April and May besides improving essential immunization coverage in key pockets of concern,” he added.
Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, thanked donors for their sustained commitment to a polio-free world and acknowledged both the program’s progress and the hurdles that remain.
She urged continued efforts to close remaining immunity gaps swiftly to interrupt transmission in 2025.
Pakistan’s polio eradication program was launched in 1994, but progress has been hampered by persistent vaccine misinformation and resistance from conservative clerics who claim immunization is a foreign conspiracy. Militant violence has also targeted polio workers in parts of the country.
The donor briefing was attended by representatives of several international entities, including UNICEF, the World Health Organization, Gates Foundation and Islamic Development Bank.
Pakistan ratifies WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies, first on ocean sustainability
- Agreement prohibits subsidies contributing to illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing, overfishing and fishing on unregulated high seas
- 94 WTO members have formally accepted the agreement, 17 more formal acceptances are needed for the agreement to come into effect
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan this week accepted the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the first WTO agreement with an environmental objective at its core, prohibiting subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfishing, and fishing on the unregulated high seas.
The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies was adopted by the WTO in June 2022. Pakistan, with its extensive coastline along the Arabian Sea, relies heavily on fisheries for food security, employment and exports. However, the sector faces challenges due to overfishing, lack of regulation and inadequate infrastructure. The country provides subsidies to support small-scale fishers including fuel subsidies, tax exemptions and financial aid.
Pakistan’s instrument of acceptance brings to 94 the total number of WTO members that have formally accepted the agreement. Seventeen more formal acceptances are needed for the agreement to come into effect. The agreement will enter into force upon acceptance by two-thirds of the membership.
“Pakistan deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on Mar. 20,” the WTO said in a statement on Thursday. “Ambassador Ali Sarfraz Hussain presented Pakistan’s instrument of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.”
Iweala said the move was a vital step toward ensuring long-term sustainability of global marine resources while safeguarding the livelihoods of millions dependent on healthy fisheries.
“By joining this collective effort, Pakistan demonstrates its commitment to its coastal communities and the environment, and it becomes eligible for resources from our Fish Fund,” she said. “I encourage the remaining WTO members to swiftly follow suit – we need only 17 more.”
Hussain said the depositing of the instrument of ratification reflected the government’s commitment to safeguard marine resources.
“We recognize the critical role that this agreement can play in curbing harmful fishing practices and in ensuring the long-term health of our oceans,” the report quoted the ambassador as saying. “We urge all WTO members to join us in this essential global effort.”
With the adoption of the agreement, Pakistan must now align its policies to restrict harmful subsidies while ensuring support for sustainable fishing practices. Strengthening fisheries management, enforcing regulations and investing in marine conservation will be key to balancing economic and environmental priorities, experts say.
Pakistan stocks record 2.5% weekly gains on hopes of favorable IMF review
- Pakistan, currently bolstered by a $7 billion facility from the IMF granted in September, is navigating an economic recovery path
- The country’s current account deficit for Feb. coming in at $12 million and T-Bill where participation of Rs1,575 billion was seen
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s stock market recorded more than 2 percent weekly gains as it closed the weekend trading session gains on Friday, a Karachi-based securities firm said, attributing it to positive developments regarding Pakistan’s $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
While the benchmark KSE-100 index shed 327 points on Friday to close at 119,405 points, it witnessed a 2.5 percent growth in its volume during the week.
“This gain can be attributed to buying by mutual funds on favorable IMF program review, government’s efforts to resolve circular debt, lower electricity prices and rebound in cement prices,” Topline Securities said in its weekly review.
The Washington-based lender put all speculation about its negotiations with Islamabad to an end, when its mission chief, Nathan Porter, said last week the two sides had made “significant progress” toward reaching an accord.
The South Asian country, currently bolstered by a $7 billion facility from the IMF granted in September, is navigating an economic recovery path.
Other developments during the outgoing week were Pakistan’s current account deficit for Feb. coming in at $12 million and the T-Bill where participation of Rs1,575 billion was seen, with government raising Rs392 billion as against target of Rs800 billion.
“Increase in investor participation was observed during the week as average daily traded volume and value stood at 508 million shares (up by 51% WoW) and Rs31.5 billion (up by 43% WoW) respectively.
Pakistani journalist faces court over ‘anti-state’ posts
- Farhan Mallick, head of the Raftar channel, was remanded in custody for three days, his media outlet reported on X
- He was detained under a law targeting people ‘intentionally disseminating’ information that is ‘fake or likely to spread fear’
ISLAMABAD: The founder of a Pakistani Internet media channel appeared in court on Friday on charges of “anti-state posts and fake news” under toughened legislation targeting online content.
Farhan Mallick, head of the Raftar channel, was remanded in custody for three days, his media outlet reported on social media platform X.
The charge sheet seen by AFP shows he was detained under a revised law targeting people “intentionally disseminating” information that is “fake or likely to spread fear.”
The revised legislation carries a prison term of up to three years and prompted journalist protests when it was approved in January.
“At this stage, no concrete evidence has been presented to substantiate the anti-state allegations against Mr.Mallick or Raftar,” read an online statement by the channel, which primarily publishes podcasts and analyzes of current affairs.
Several of Raftar’s videos have amassed more than a million views in recent years and examine the role of Pakistan’s powerful military, which analysts say is deeply involved in the country’s politics and economy.
Mallick was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency, which deals with cybercrime, on Thursday.
The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan subsequently called on authorities to “check the overreach of agencies... and uphold the right to freedom of expression.”
The criminalization of online disinformation has spread fear in Pakistan, with journalists among those worried about the potentially wide reach of the law.
“Amendments are being brought in specifically to quell dissent, to abduct, arrest, and detain journalists, and to silence journalism, silence dissent, and silence all criticism of the state,” human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari told AFP.
Pakistan is ranked 152 out of 180 countries in a press freedom index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.
Islamabad has long been criticized by watchdogs for restricting Internet access, including temporary bans on YouTube and TikTok, while X is officially blocked.
Pakistan approves phasing out of long-term financing to Exim Bank
- Export-Import Bank of Pakistan aims to catalyze growth and diversification of the country’s exports and to support the implementation of import-substitution projects
- It provides a level playing field to Pakistani exporters to compete with international exporters who already rely on their national Export Credit Agencies or EXIM Banks
KARACHI: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Pakistan’s federal cabinet has approved the phasing out of long-term financing to the country’s Export-Import Bank of Pakistan, or Exim Bank, the Finance Division said on Friday.
The statement came after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presided over a meeting of the ECC to review proposals and summaries with regard to various departments and ministries.
Among other agenda items, the forum discussed a summary presented by the Finance Division regarding the phasing out of the State Bank of Pakistan’s long-term financing facility (LTFF) to Exim Bank.
“The ECC decided that the SBP’s LTFF portfolio of PKR 330 billion would be phased out to the Exim Bank, with an allocation of PKR 1.001 billion through a Technical Supplementary Grant to meet the LTFF subsidy requirement for the new portfolio for FY 2025,” the Finance Division said.
EXIM Bank of Pakistan’s mandate is to catalyze the growth and diversification of the country’s exports and to support the implementation of import-substitution projects. It provides a level playing field to Pakistani exporters to compete with international exporters who already rely on their national Export Credit Agencies or EXIM Banks.
EXIM Bank of Pakistan meets its requirements by providing credit, insurance and lending products, designed to enhance the overall credit risk appetite in Pakistan. It also supports the implementation of manufacturing facilities and infrastructure projects in Pakistan to facilitate import substitution, saving the drain of valuable foreign exchange from Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly said his government is prioritizing exports to ensure sustainable economic growth for the country’s fragile $350 billion economy. Sharif has recently said his government aims to increase Pakistan’s exports to $60 billion in five years.
The South Asian country is trying to stabilize its economy through sustainable reforms agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in exchange for a financial bailout program.
