18th November 2024

Week # 46 Update (11th November to 17th November)

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged Pakistanis to offer Namaz-e-Istisqa, a prayer for rain, to address the severe smog crisis caused by prolonged dry weather. He encouraged religious scholars and Sufi leaders to organize the prayer in mosques nationwide, emphasizing that rainfall could improve the environment and reduce disease. PM Shehbaz expressed hope that rain would bring relief and mitigate the hardships of the ongoing dry spell. This call for prayer coincides with Lahore being ranked the most polluted city globally by IQAir on Thursday.

• Scuffles erupted between PPP and PTI supporters as Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab addressed the media after casting his vote during Sindh’s local body by-elections in Karachi's Gizri area. Supporters from both parties clashed amid loud sloganeering, with videos showing them pushing and jostling each other. Wahab urged political leaders to resolve issues in parliament rather than inciting people onto the streets, emphasizing the need for dialogue and seriousness in addressing political problems.

• Punjab is grappling with a severe smog crisis, now deemed a "health crisis" by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, as cities like Lahore and Multan face record-breaking pollution levels, with AQI readings surpassing 2,000. The province has recorded nearly two million respiratory cases in a month, prompting measures such as school closures, emission controls, and subsidies for eco-friendly farming equipment. Aurangzeb announced a 10-year smog mitigation plan, including initiatives like forest expansion, electric buses by mid-2025, and enhanced industrial emission monitoring. Meanwhile, officials hint at potential lockdowns if conditions persist, as the crisis underscores urgent environmental and health concerns.

• The Interior Ministry has directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block unauthorized VPNs nationwide, citing their misuse by terrorists for violent activities, financial transactions, and accessing pornographic or blasphemous content. The PTA reported blocking over 944,000 objectionable websites and claimed to intercept 20 million daily attempts to access pornographic sites. It introduced a streamlined VPN registration process, requiring users to register by November 30, amid ongoing disruptions to VPN access. While officials argue the measures address national security concerns, digital rights activists criticize them as censorship and surveillance efforts.

• Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is likely to be sold to a foreign government after the Privatisation Commission rejected a Rs10 billion bid from Blue World Consortium, falling significantly short of the Rs85 billion minimum set by the government. The debt-laden airline, which is offering a 51-100% stake, is being privatized as part of Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF reform program. Qatar and Abu Dhabi have emerged as potential buyers under a government-to-government agreement. The Strategic Investment Facilitation Council plans to invite expressions of interest from foreign investors by November 30 to expedite the process.

• Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir highlighted the risks of misinformation and the impact of unrestricted freedom of speech on societal values during his speech at the Margalla Dialogue 2024 in Islamabad. Speaking on the topic Pakistan’s Role in Peace and Stability, he emphasized the dangers of unchecked technological advancement in spreading false information, which he identified as a significant threat to political and social structures globally.

Podcast of the Week

• This question has bugged so many of us and I hate to admit it but it was a big focus for me as well. Thankfully, saner minds have prevailed and this was one of the most interesting podcasts I’ve had the pleasure of watching. Truly a beautiful macroeconomic analysis of what’s going on.

• Sucks looking at the mirror but how will we become better people without it?

Bubyeee

So that’s that. It was an average week. No singnificant developments and no significant losses (thankfully). All because our leaders are keeping their hydration up. So should you.

I won’t leave you with a deep monologue this week. Mostly because I’ve been busy and it’s 3am and I want to go to sleep. Hope you have a great week and manage to seize whatever you’re trying to seize.