Unending nightmare
IS the worst truly behind us? It is difficult to say. Some will look at the glass as half empty, others will see it as half full. While consumer inflation eased in the month of October, it still registered at a painful 26.9pc. For the layperson, this means that, on average, they had to pay 27pc more for the same quantity of goods and services they were consuming a year earlier. Some items were markedly more expensive: for example, in urban areas, citizens on average paid Rs185 for the same quantity of condiments and spices that cost Rs100 in October last year. Likewise, they paid Rs170 to buy the same amount of sugar that cost Rs100 in October 2022. Every kilo of wheat flour, too, was 64.4pc costlier than last year; rice was up 62.3pc. The sharp drop in fuel prices from previous months would have helped create some breathing space, as would the fall in prices of perishable food items. But, because incomes invariably did not rise in proportion, the vast majority would have had to make difficult decisions about how to allocate their already squeezed household budgets.
While some quarters seem keen to celebrate the declining trend in headline inflation as a success for the current managers of the economy, it would be wiser to resist that temptation. The current ‘reduced’ rate of 27pc is still painfully high for the majority of Pakistani households, who have likely already exhausted any margin they may have had between their needs and income. For many, coping with inflated prices is no longer a question of cutting unnecessary expenses, it is about how much they can still afford to eat while keeping their heads above water. Further price increases, even at a diminished pace, will only take more food off their table. This does not, therefore, seem like a moment to celebrate. One also cannot ignore the fact that Pakistan’s exchange rate woes haven’t disappeared. In fact, the pressures seem to be building up again, as evidenced by recent movements in the currency markets. The disturbance in the Middle East also looms large, and any major escalation there could spell catastrophe for Pakistan’s struggling economy. Whatever room the government currently has ought to be utilised to restore economic stability and restart the economic engine. This is no time for complacency.
Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2023
Finally, a date
A meeting held between the Election Commission of Pakistan and President Arif Alvi has yielded a specific date for the next general elections: Feb 8, 2024. Earlier in the day, the ECP had informed the court that it had scheduled the date for Feb 11, but was told to consult the president.
The agreement has come as a relief to those who believed that polls would not be held anytime soon. No doubt, it is very welcome news, even if it means that the ECP will once again be breaking its word as the date represents a slight delay from the ‘end of January’ timeline, which the electoral body gave in late September and affirmed last week.
It also represents a 95-day violation of the deadline to hold elections according to the Constitution. The court, while hearing the matter, had rubbished the assertion of the law ministry and ECP that the president had no authority to give election dates.
It seems this matter has now attained finality. While dictating the court’s order, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that whatever date is decided by the ECP and the president will have to be implemented. “The final date for polls will be announced from the Supreme Court,” he said.
This should be the cue for the ECP and all political parties to begin election preparations in earnest. The former has three months to ensure a ‘free, fair, impartial and inclusive election’.
It seems like a tall order, given the prevailing political climate and parties’ repeated complaints about being denied a level playing field. The political parties, too, need to regroup, vet their candidates, organise campaigns and start mobilising voters for the big day. Because so little has been done in preparation for the exercise up till now, they have a long and bumpy road ahead of them. The Supreme Court has given them a head start, and they should take advantage of it.
Now that the fog has lifted, the ECP will be under constant scrutiny. It wilfully violated the Constitution on multiple occasions this year, justifying each violation with the excuse that it was necessary in order to hold elections that could pass a high standard of fairness.
If, after all these violations, the participating parties are still denied an equal opportunity to present their case to the public, then all of it will have been for nothing. It must, at the very least, demonstrate that it was acting in good faith.
There is also talk about giving the delay in elections legal cover under Article 254. However, this should not mean that those who conspired to violate the Constitution are let off without penalty. The consequences must be severe and exemplary for all involved.
Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2023
Killing media, aid workers
EVERY life lost in Israel’s campaign of extermination in Gaza is precious. The Jewish state is not differentiating between man, woman or child, combatant or non-combatant.
In fact, the Israeli president has suggested there are no innocent civilians in Gaza, while Tel Aviv’s defence minister has described the besieged Strip’s people as ‘animals’. If anything, it is Israel that has displayed bestial behaviour by pursuing a scorched earth policy against the Palestinians.
Part of its campaign of terror is the targeting of journalists and aid workers in the conflict zone. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists’ latest figures, at least 33 journalists and media workers have been killed since hostilities started on Oct 7; 28 are Palestinian, four Israelis and one Lebanese. Moreover, UNRWA, the multilateral body’s relief agency, says it has lost 70 staffers in the conflict.
From these numbers it is clear that Israel is targeting journalists to silence voices highlighting the brutality in Gaza, as well as attacking aid workers trying to provide succour to the Palestinian people.
One of the most heartbreaking stories was that of Al Jazeera reporter Wael al-Dahdouh, who learnt that his wife, son, daughter and other family members had been massacred in an Israeli air raid while he was on air.
As we have just observed the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, it should be remembered that Israel is slaughtering media workers and their families with brazen impunity. Reporters Without Borders has said that war crimes have been committed against Palestinian journalists.
While statements are important, global media bodies and civil society in the West particularly must pressure their governments to call for an immediate ceasefire, and hold Israel to account for its atrocities against civilians, including journalists and aid workers.
Claims by states to respect media freedom will ring hollow until those responsible for forever silencing the voices of Palestinian journalists are brought to justice.
Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2023