A SIGNIFICANT number of Pakistanis have shifted to internet and mobile banking to transfer money, pay bills and shop online. Digital transactions are posting strong growth as reflected by new State Bank data for the period between October and December. The data shows online transactions spiking by 24pc in volume to 296.7m and 22pc in value to Rs21.4tr as more people switch to internet and mobile banking for convenience. Three major factors have played a crucial role in the online uptick. First, Covid-19 forced people to use online banking services. Second, the waiver of transactional fees on all online interbank and intra-bank fund transfer encouraged many to start accessing internet and mobile banking services, where the most uptake is seen in the last one year. Third, the incentives offered by the provinces to taxpayers using mobile banking for payment of government taxes or restaurant bills also contributed to an uptake in digital transactions.
The number of point-of-sale machines also recorded growth of 18pc to 62,480, with digital payments being made through debit or credit cards. According to the bank, 23m transactions totalling Rs115bn during the three-month period to December were processed. Meanwhile, e-commerce merchants saw 5.6m transactions through card payment that climbed to Rs15bn compared to 3.9m transactions valuing at Rs11.9bn in the previous quarter. The expansion in online payments indeed marks a welcome shift in the customers’ approach to payments and will go a long way in documenting the economy. The expansion in the digital payment infrastructure as well as the emergence of new payment aggregators have played a role in the growth. Nevertheless, it will be misleading at this point to assume that the increased online transactions show the expansion of financial inclusion. The existing number of POS machines, the limited number of people, especially women, with access to bank accounts or in possession of payment cards, and even fewer of
them with access to the internet, means we have a long way to go before a larger section of the population can use internet and mobile banking services.
Moscow talks
AS the May 1 deadline for America to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan draws close, efforts are afoot to speed up the peace process in the latter country. The latest sign of this came after a meeting was convened in Moscow featuring Afghan stakeholders, as well as representatives of regional and global players, to try and hammer out some sort of deal, and salvage the very modest successes that have been achieved between the Afghan government, the Taliban and the US. What is significant is that the US sent its emissary on Afghanistan to the event in Russia, despite the fact that Washington and Moscow rarely see eye to eye, especially in the international arena. Senior officials from Pakistan and China were also in attendance, as were Mullah Baradar of the Taliban and former Afghan president Hamid Karzai.
The joint statement issued after the event is important as it calls upon the Taliban to not launch any spring or summer offensives. Over the past few months, there has been a sharp spike in violence as civilians, including journalists and civil society figures, have been murdered. The Taliban say the US is not complying with its end of the deal signed in Doha in 2020, and there was no clear signal from the militia that they are willing to cease all hostilities in the interest of peace. Until there is such a commitment, it would be too early to celebrate. However, considering the complexity of the Afghan issue, the fact that the dialogue process is continuing is still a better alternative to settling scores on the battlefield.
At this point, the stalemate will apparently continue as the Taliban have the upper hand. The only major change to emerge from the Moscow conclave is that Pakistan, the US, China and Russia appear to have a common view of the Afghan peace process. America itself is not sure it will honour the May 1 deadline, with Joe Biden saying as much in a recent interview. However, the dialogue process must continue and be backed by a long-lasting ceasefire, which will act as the biggest confidence-building measure. The negotiation process is due to resume in Turkey next month and by that time the Afghan stakeholders — particularly the Taliban — must show that they are committed to the peace process by ceasing hostilities. If foreign troops leave abruptly without a peace plan endorsed by all Afghan factions, a return to the civil war seen during the Mujahideen period is likely. And if the foreign forces stay, the Taliban will have an excuse to abandon the peace process and return to the battlefield. The available options at this point are not very good, yet a modus vivendi must be reached where the violence stops, power-sharing is achieved and the Afghans start the long process of rebuilding their shattered homeland.
PM’s assurance
THAT Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured the families of missing persons of assistance is indeed welcome news, but there are still miles to go before these families get justice. Last month, scores of Baloch citizens whose relatives have been missing for up to 12 years had gathered in the capital to protest against these enforced disappearances and try and obtain information about their loved ones’ whereabouts. At the time, the protest was called off after an assurance was given by Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, who told the protesting families that she would arrange their meeting directly with the prime minister. This week, Mr Khan met three members of the Balochistan missing persons committee and tasked his principal secretary to ascertain the status of the missing family members and give an update to these families. The prime minister’s meeting with the relatives of missing persons no doubt is a show of support to these citizens who have suffered a harrowing ordeal for years. But though it is encouraging, it also highlights what an utter failure the Commission of Inquiry into Enforced Disappearances has been. The commission was created in 2011 and, despite the passage
of a decade, it has failed to end enforced disappearances or bring relief to these families. Though the existence of such a body is necessary, this particular commission has yet to address the grievances of families who have endured traumatic years of separation and silence. Some observers say the commission is unsuccessful due to inadequate human and financial resources. Its head, retired Justice Javed Iqbal, is also the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau which is a significant and consuming responsibility in itself. Not only do these families place very little trust in this commission, even the few cases it has ‘resolved’ do little to pin responsibility or hold someone accountable.
The prime minister’s pledge has created hope for these despondent families, but justice and closure will remain elusive unless concrete support and answers are given. The government should either disband the commission or provide it a chairman and team that will deliver results. Too many times, ministers and committees have given the affected families assurances that they will be provided information about their missing relatives — promises that have ended in disappointment. If Mr Khan’s support to the missing persons’ cause goes beyond lip service and delivers tangible results, it will be a praiseworthy achievement.
