The conflict between the ruling party and Imran Khan’s PTI has seen moves from both sides. Earlier this week, the PTI announced it would stage a hunger strike in front of the parliament building in Islamabad, demanding the release of Imran Khan and others. PTI central office sealed off In Islamabad, the Election Commission finally followed Supreme Court directions to certify 39 of the party’s 80 candidates as “PTI members” after failing to implement adequate fire and life safety measures. Pakistan’s media is outraged, speaking on behalf of a nation that “cannot bear any more chaos” in the face of rising prices.
Questioning the ECP’s motives dawn (July 27) stated, “Only time will tell whether the ECP’s hostility towards the PTI was due to coercion or for some other reason. In any case, it has been clear for some time that the ECP’s priority seems to be something other than the promotion and advancement of democracy.”
News International (July 24) believes that “the government seems clueless about the political battle with the PTI. Pakistan is facing challenges like economy, terrorism and polarization so now is the time to negotiate with the opposition.”
Regarding the plight of the people who are forced to endure this “Cold War” Daily Times (July 26) states, “The knee-jerk planning underway appears to have trapped an angry Pakistani public between two extreme positions, neither of which is willing to take a middle path…The current administration has had little time or resources to devote to the work of providing much-promised relief to millions of people.”
Where is Priya Kumari?
On the day of Ashura, 19 August 2021, Priya Kumari, a seven-year-old Hindu girl, went missing from Sangraal, a small town near Sukkur in Sindh. Strangely, she appears to have been abducted while selling sherbet at a Muharram stall in the Sabir area, which is home to a few hundred people. She remains missing, Seeking her recovery The protests have grown louder as the Sindh government has failed to make any significant progress.
dawn (July 22) stated, “Priya’s case is illustrative of the many divisions that divide society – faith, poverty, sex and crime.”
The Express Tribune (July 24) Commenting on the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed by the Sindh Police, he believes that “while parents and protest organisers have welcomed the progress made by the JIT, vague promises have eroded confidence in the Sindh Police.”
American election drama
On Sunday, US President Joe Biden made a surprise move. The name was withdrawn Biden, who is vying for the Democratic nomination for president in 2024, said he was stepping down “in the best interests of the party and the country.”The announcement reportedly took even Biden’s closest allies and those working on his campaign by surprise.
The Express Tribune (July 23) noted that concerns about Biden’s age and mental health obscured the fact that former president and Republican nominee Donald Trump “continues to drive fact-checkers to the brink of insanity.” Praising the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris, the editorial said, “Harris will be a challenger who hits some of Trump’s weakest spots.”
The Nation (July 24), meanwhile, believes that “Vice President Kamala Harris will bring nothing differently” and that “with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a war criminal with an outstanding arrest warrant, addressing a joint session of Congress, the choice for Americans is between a war apologist and a convicted felon populist.”
Visa policy change creates passport problems for Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday relaxed visa regulations to attract foreign investment and increase trade with other countries. Visa fees for tourists are now waived for 126 countries. The announcement came shortly after Pakistan’s passport was classified as the fourth worst in the world out of 199 countries for the fourth consecutive year, according to the Henley Passport Index. The reason for relaxing visa and passport regulations is said to be the perception that Pakistan is a crime-ridden country.
The Nation (July 27) welcomes the visa policy changes but believes “policy alone will do little to bring about concrete change.” He stresses the need for better security measures, saying “the real solution lies in addressing crime, infrastructure and tourist facilities in the most popular travel destinations.”
Daily Times The editorial (July 27) blamed the slump on “petty politics”. “The primary challenge to streamline the creation of a business-friendly environment, attractive tourist hub and global corridor is for all political parties to work hard to rise above petty differences and not get distracted by short-term agendas,” it said.
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© Indian Express Ltd.
First uploaded: 27 July 2024 17:30 IST
