Tag: November 24

  • Interior Ministry likely to block CNICs, degrees of students participating in PTI protest

    Interior Ministry likely to block CNICs, degrees of students participating in PTI protest

    In a worrying development, Pakistan’s state-owned broadcaster PTV News posted a news alert yesterday on its official X (formerly Twitter) page, informing the public that the Interior Ministry has warned students that if they “participate in the 24th November protest, their educational certificates, admissions and CNICs could be blocked.”

    The News Alert further stated: “The federal government has started geo-fencing Afghan Muhajireen camps within the federal capital and nearby cities. The government is considering blocking the CNICs, degrees and admission of students who engage in violent protests. The interior Ministry is also considering blocking the passports, CNICs, and SIMs of those who participate in protests.”

    The statement follows a call by the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, for nationwide protests while also warning party leaders to either participate in the upcoming protest or leave the party.”

    In a recent statement, Khan stated that those unable to join the planned “power show” should “disassociate themselves” from the PTI, calling it a critical moment in the party’s struggle for freedom and justice.

    Khan, in his announcement on November 13, also denounced what he described as a “stolen mandate,” unjust arrests, and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he claimed strengthened a “dictatorial regime.” 

    In a statement shared on X, Imran reiterated the importance of the November 24 protests. He framed the event as “a golden opportunity to secure genuine freedom for Pakistan” and warned that “enslaved nations eventually die away.”

    The PTV News alert also noted that the federal government is ready to “deal with strictness” on the upcoming November 24 protest by PTI. 

    “Islamabad’s deputy commissioner has imposed Section 144 for two months,” read the news alert by PTV News. 

    Upset social media users reacted over the Interior Ministry’s policy, with one user writing, “Foreigners may find it wild: Pakistan state TV is broadcasting this government message threatening: – surveillance of Afghan refugee camps (fuelling ethnic tensions) – cancellation of ID cards, passports and degrees of students. All to stop PTI protests.”

    Another X user, Ammar Rashid, posted: “Unelected regime thugs inciting racial fears & openly threatening Pakistani students with stripping of their citizenship & right to education for attending a protest. No depth to which this dictatorship will not sink to cling on to power.  Meanwhile, the spineless gaggle of PDM frontmen & their mindless acolytes in the media & social media will clap at these violations of the constitution as if they’re markers of democratic progress & ‘resistance to fascism’.”

  • November 24 protest: High-level dialogue begins between PTI, govt

    November 24 protest: High-level dialogue begins between PTI, govt

    Preparations are underway for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest on November 24 in Islamabad, but The News reports that the government has urged the party to “call off” the planned demonstration.

    The incumbent government’s initial contact with PTI was reportedly positive, while the party would “call off” the protest in exchange for some assurances for considering their demands.

    The News, however, did not disclose the names of contacts from both parties in the discussion, fearing that it could impact the ongoing negotiations.

    The source claimed that Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur is expected to participate in the apex committee meeting on Tuesday (today).

    In an apex committee chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, CM KP Gandapur is reportedly expected to raise the issue of incarcerated party founder Imran Khan and the ongoing tension between PTI and the military establishment.

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir, and all intelligence agency chiefs will also participate in the apex committee meeting.

    Barrister Saif, KP’s Advisor for Information and Broadcasting, while appearing on Geo News, confirmed on Monday that Ali Amin Gandapur will present PTI’s demands before the apex committee meeting before presenting in the upcoming protest at Islamabad.

    If a consensus were built between PTI and the government to initiate dialogue, the military establishment would be exempted from participating in it, the source claimed.

    Following the “final call” by the founder of PTI for the countrywide demonstrations to achieve their demands, the party leadership had vowed to stage a big sit-in show in the federal capital on November 24 until the release of Imran Khan.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf demands the revocation of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, including the restoration of democracy and the Constitution, the return of the public’s mandate, and the release of all political prisoners.

    Previously, former PM Khan was arrested on August 5 last year from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, shortly after his conviction in the Toshakhana case and has been in jail since then on multiple charges.

    It should be mentioned here that incarcerated PM Imran Khan is facing several cases, including the £190 million reference (Al Qadir Trust case) and a new Toshakhana case.

    Meanwhile, as per the notification issued by Additional District Magistrate Usman Ashraf, the Islamabad administration on Monday imposed section 144 in the federal capital for two months ahead of the PTI protest.

    According to the notification, there will be a ban on gatherings of five or more people, including the prohibition of any processions, rallies and demonstrations.

  • Pakistan’s forex reserves rebound: SBP gains $77 million in a week 

    Pakistan’s forex reserves rebound: SBP gains $77 million in a week 

    According to data released on Thursday, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) witnessed a weekly increase of $77 million in its foreign exchange reserves, reaching $7.26 billion as of November 24.  

    The total liquid foreign reserves for the country amounted to $12.39 billion, with commercial banks holding net foreign reserves at $5.13 billion. 

    During the week ending on November 24, 2023, SBP’s reserves increased by $77 million, reaching $7,257.0 million. Contrastingly, the previous week saw a decrease of $217 million in Pakistan’s central bank reserves. 

    In July of this year, the central bank’s reserves received a boost as Pakistan obtained the initial tranche of approximately $1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the approval of a new $3-billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA).  

    This boost was complemented by inflows from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 

    However, the SBP reserves faced pressure due to debt repayments, a surge in import payments after the easing of restrictions, and a lack of fresh inflows. 

    In a significant development, the IMF announced last week that its staff and Pakistani authorities had reached an agreement on the first review of the SBA.  

    The staff-level agreement is pending approval by the IMF Executive Board. 

    The IMF team reached a staff-level agreement (SLA) with the Pakistani authorities on the first review of their stabilization program supported by the IMF’s $3 billion (SDR2,250 million) SBA.  

    Upon approval, approximately $700 million (SDR 528 million) will become available, bringing total disbursements under the program to almost $1.9 billion. 

    Following the SLA with the IMF, Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar expressed confidence that external financing would not be an issue, anticipating inflows in December 2023 to contribute to an increase in foreign exchange reserves.