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Week 40
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7th October 2024
Week # 40 (30th Sept - 6th Oct)
Preview
This was one of those weeks when I wished it was Roznama recap instead of Hafta recap. So much to cover, so many things happening and such a wild week.
This week, I’ll be covering the basics in the bullet points below but I’m also adding a little story that describes everything that went on in Islamabad over the weekend. Hope you enjoy!
The Usual Stuff
PESHAWAR: Thirteen security personnel, including an army officer, were martyred in clashes with terrorists in North Waziristan and Kurram districts, while eight militants, including a key commander involved in a Swat convoy attack, were killed. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ali Shoukat and five soldiers were martyred in North Waziristan during intense gunfire, with six terrorists neutralized. A separate operation in Swat eliminated two militants, including ringleader Atta Ullah, responsible for numerous attacks. In Kurram, seven Frontier Corps personnel were martyred in an ambush. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari praised the soldiers' sacrifices.
Amid escalating regional tensions following an Iranian missile attack on Israel and political unrest in Pakistan’s capital, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed the week at a record high of over 83,500 points. The surge was fueled by rising exports, foreign exchange reserves, and expectations of a policy rate cut in November. Despite positive economic signs, foreign investors engaged in aggressive selling due to concerns over the Middle East conflict. With inflation dropping to a 44-month low, trade leaders called for a sharp rate cut to boost industrial activity. Significant economic developments, including a 2.52% GDP growth and reduced T-bill yields, further drove the market upward. The KSE 100 index rose by 2,240 points, settling at 83,531.96. Analysts expect the bullish trend to continue with IMF support and easing inflation.
The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously accepted a review petition challenging its 2022 verdict on Article 63-A of the Constitution, which had ruled that votes cast against party lines in key parliamentary decisions should not be counted. The ruling now reverses this, meaning that lawmakers’ votes will be counted, even if they go against party policy in matters like prime ministerial elections and no-confidence votes. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa led the bench, and the decision may aid the government in securing support for constitutional amendments, some related to the judiciary. The detailed judgment will be issued later.
KARACHI: Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon has agreed to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FPCCI) request to appoint a focal person from the business community to oversee law and order matters, aimed at safeguarding economic activities in the province. During a visit to FPCCI, Memon noted that crime in Karachi has decreased significantly, with street crimes dropping from an average of 2.5 per day in January 2024 to less than 1 by September 2024. FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh emphasized the need to expedite the safe city project to improve investor confidence.
An explosion near Karachi airport on Sunday night resulted in one fatality and injuries to 11 others, including a foreigner. According to officials, at least 10 vehicles caught fire due to the blast, and four cars were completely destroyed. Crime Investigation Department (CID) Director General Asif Ejaz Shaikh stated that the cause of the explosion was not yet clear. However, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar suggested that it might have been caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Story Time
The following is a story that I’ve been thinking up in my head last week. It’s a bit lengthy, but I promise it’s full of facts and based on real sources and my consistent watching of multiple Youtube Livestreams. Enjoyyy.
It’s Friday, the 4th of October, around 8 pm, and I’m sitting in my car on my way home from work. The roads are packed with more traffic than usual—typical for a Friday night at the start of the month. I grumble to myself about the extra 10-minute delay on my commute, irritated by how such a small thing feels like such a big inconvenience.
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, things are far more intense. Seventeen-year-old Zaki, along with thousands of other PTI supporters, finds himself on the front lines of a very different kind of delay—a protest that is anything but calm. It’s not just Zaki—men, women, and teenagers like him have come from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all driven by the call of their party leaders.
Zaki, like many of the protesters, is fully committed. He stands firm in front of a wall of police and rangers, their faces hidden behind masks, armed with nothing but tear gas shells and makeshift protection. He kicks one of those tear gas shells back toward the line of officers, his eyes burning from the gas. A surge of adrenaline and purpose fills him, and the crowd roars with approval, momentarily forgetting the stinging pain in their lungs.
Just last week, KPK Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had rallied the masses, calling them to march towards Islamabad’s D-Chowk. “We are coming for a peaceful protest,” he had promised. But Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had swiftly countered with a stern warning: anyone marching into Islamabad would be dealt with an iron fist. What was meant as a warning was predictably taken as a challenge. After all, the people of KPK—especially PTI supporters—aren’t ones to shy away from a fight.
And so, the march began. Thousands of protesters moved toward Islamabad, braving kilometers of roads blocked by containers and checkpoints. The government’s preparations were meticulous: containers filled with sand, welded together to make them immovable; thousands of tear gas shells ready to be deployed; and 4,000 policemen stationed at key points. To top it all off, mobile and internet services were cut off in the twin cities, leaving both protesters and residents in a communications blackout.
But the government’s plan had an unintended flaw. While the welded containers were harder to move, they created a domino effect. Once a small group managed to tip one over, the rest followed.
Zaki’s group was among the first to breach one of these barricades. Spirits were high despite the stinging gas, the blocked roads, and the constant threat of arrest. They believed they were fighting for their rights, justice, and the future of their country. After all, their leader had promised: this was the revolution that would change everything.
But as the protest surged forward, something unexpected happened. The leader who had vowed to take the first bullet was nowhere to be seen. Gandapur had vanished. Rumors spread like wildfire—had he been arrested? Was he negotiating behind closed doors? The truth, however, was far more disheartening. Gandapur had retreated from the front lines, perhaps to take a break, maybe even a shower—who knows?
By midnight, the scene at D-Chowk had descended into chaos. Tear gas filled the air as protesters clashed with law enforcement, turning the blocked roads into battlegrounds. Dozens of PTI supporters were arrested, including some high-profile figures. The energy and defiance that had filled the crowd just hours earlier began to dissipate as reality set in: they were on their own.
The police showed no signs of relenting. Islamabad had effectively become a fortress, with every major road into the capital blocked, police officers stationed at every corner, ready to prevent any breach. The protesters, despite their numbers, were slowly being pushed back. With no connectivity, no coordination, and no leadership to guide them, the movement began to falter.
And where was Gandapur? The rumors continued. Some said he had been arrested, while others claimed he was safely negotiating from KP House. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi added fuel to the fire with a chillingly casual remark to reporters, “Maybe he’s hiding for fun.”
By the early hours of the morning, the dynamic had shifted. PTI leaders announced that protesters should remain in place, waiting for further instructions from Imran Khan. Meanwhile, in a surprising turn of events, Ali Amin Gandapur appeared at an emergency KP Assembly meeting, called to discuss his mysterious disappearance.
As Sunday came to a close, a strange silence had fallen. Zaki and his friends were still in Islamabad, wondering what would happen next. Perhaps they would move on to Lahore tomorrow. They were no longer following the chief minister or the other party leaders. Their faith rested in one man. But the real question was: would that man be able to deliver the salvation they were promised?
Editorial of the Week
A Deeper look at the despondent state of the Pakistani Education system.
Podcast of the Week
Once again Rafter talks about topics that are truly relevant.
What leads a successful businessman to leave Pakistan and setup shop elsewhere? Find out in the podcast below.
How does the Kashmiri Insurgency work? A very well researched and well made video by GDF.
Bubyeee
This was one eventful week. So many things happening and so many disappointments. Opinion time, Gandapur is playing a double game but who am I to say.
With a looming SCO summit, this will be the last week of the protests. Either they’ll fizzle out or shit will get out of hand. Either way, politicians continue to disappoint.
Khair, it’s going to be a long week so make sure you’re getting enough of that H to the Two of the O. Apparently, doctors want to kill me because I ask you to stay hydrated because it leads to better health and less money for them.
Anyway, It’s 2am, I’m sleepy and can honestly ramble for another 2 hours aaraam say. Have a great week and remember, we’re all living in silos so whatever really happens in this country doesn’t impact you until it does. At that moment, reading a newsletter isn’t going to make a difference. Enjoy your week!!!