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                        <title>Editorial</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Acid and impunity</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612103/acid-and-impunity</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612103/acid-and-impunity#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 20:39:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Dr Mahnoor's case reflects our collective failure as a society]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sabra Sultana. Raheela Raheem. Noreen Jabbar. Iqra Parveen. Naila Farhat. And now Dr Mahnoor Khan Nasar. These are only some of the names of the thousands of acid attack survivors in Pakistan. Some dared to reject marriage proposals from men who couldn&#39;t stomach a simple &#39;no&#39;. Some were targeted because their husbands couldn&#39;t bear the thought of being left. Each name carries a story of unimaginable pain - and each story holds up a mirror to a society that has repeatedly looked away.

While Dr Mahnoor&#39;s case is still under investigation, it goes beyond doubt that nothing she &ndash; or any other woman for that matter &ndash; has done could warrant behaviour as heinous and calculated as an acid attack. For any sane person, assaulting someone with a corrosive substance capable of destroying a life physically, mentally, socially and financially is an unimaginable crime. The depravity of an acid attack goes beyond pardon. Yet countless men roam free after subjecting women to such horrors - some protected by power and some by sheer state negligence.

Dr Mahnoor&#39;s case reflects our collective failure as a society. When someone who has pledged their life to healing others can be targeted in such a brutal manner, the community that has shaped and nurtured the perpetrator has no moral leg left to stand on. And as dismal as it is, Pakistan has a sordid history of nurturing these brutal men. The memory of Fakhra Younus still lives in our minds - a woman who suffered an acid attack allegedly by a prominent political figure in 2000 and ended up taking her own life at 33.

These stories should shake us to the core and shame us into action. Enforcing the ban on unauthorised acid sale and tightening regulations is the absolute bare minimum that this country owes its women. This time, we must not look away.]]>
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			<title>Trade deficit surge</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612102/trade-deficit-surge</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612102/trade-deficit-surge#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 20:39:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Energy remains the main culprit]]>
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				<![CDATA[As the federal government prepares to unveil the FY27 budget, the latest trade figures offer a sobering reminder that the country&#39;s economic vulnerabilities remain deeply entrenched. During the first 11 months of FY26, Pakistan&#39;s trade deficit widened by 17.48% to $34.76 billion, up from $29.58 billion in the same period last year. Imports climbed to $62.66 billion while exports fell to $27.9 billion, reversing the modest gains achieved as part of stabilisation efforts.

Energy remains the main culprit. Pakistan&#39;s dependence on imported crude oil and petroleum products continues to consume a significant portion of foreign exchange earnings. The situation could become even more precarious amid renewed tensions involving Iran and the broader Middle East. Any disruption to regional energy supplies or spike in global oil prices would immediately inflate Pakistan&#39;s import bill and place additional pressure on the rupee. The country&#39;s vulnerability to external energy shocks remains one of the most significant threats to economic stability. Yet the problem extends far beyond oil. Pakistan imports machinery, chemicals, industrial inputs, pharmaceutical ingredients, technology products and automobile components because domestic production capacity remains inadequate. Even many export industries depend heavily on imported raw materials and equipment. Consequently, economic growth itself often results in higher imports, limiting the net foreign exchange benefit generated by exports. The export side tells an equally troubling story. Pakistan continues to rely excessively on textiles while higher-value sectors remain underdeveloped. Although IT exports have shown encouraging growth, they are still far too small to offset the massive merchandise trade imbalance.

The upcoming budget must therefore move beyond short-term revenue targets. Import compression through higher duties alone cannot provide a lasting solution. Pakistan needs aggressive investment in renewable energy. Reducing dependence on imported fuel and imported production inputs should become a national economic priority.]]>
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			<title>G-B's verdict</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612101/g-bs-verdict</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2612101/g-bs-verdict#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 26 20:39:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[PTI of the incarcerated former PM Imran Khan has outright rejected the outcome]]>
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				<![CDATA[The elections in Gilgit-Baltistan are all set to deliver a hung assembly, with PPP emerging as the single largest party securing 10 of the 24 seats up for grabs. The PML-N, an ally of the PPP at the Centre, has clinched six seats, whereas the PTI has ended up with two. Five Independent candidates as well as one candidate representing the religio-political MWM have also made it to the 33-strong House, also having six seats reserved for women and three for minorities. These results are, however, being contested across the board with even the coalition allies at the Centre disputing over the outcome. The JUI-F too has raised allegations of non-issuance of Forms 45 in real time, in what is again turning out to be a major point of contention in the vote count.

The PTI of the incarcerated former PM Imran Khan has outright rejected the outcome, alleging massive irregularities as well as manipulation of results in several constituencies. PTI&#39;s complaints of absence of a level-playing field were genuine, as the election campaign of the party, already stripped of its election symbol, faced intense pressure from the authorities. Likewise, delays in the announcement of results also cast serious doubts, apart from deployment of a heavy contingent of Punjab Police in the picturesque Northern Areas which, otherwise, witnessed a peaceful electioneering process.

If conventional politics is any guide, a PML-N or PPP victory was a safe bet, as local voters typically side with the political parties in power in Islamabad. As many as 396 candidates belonging to more than a dozen political parties, apart from the independents, ran for the legislature in the strategically important valley, which saw three chief ministers play roulette in the outgoing assembly. Based on the results received, a PPP-PML-N coalition remains the most likely government formation scenario. The only wild card would be an &#39;alliance of convenience&#39; if the PTI, MWM, independents, and the PML-N agree to join forces to keep the PPP out of power.]]>
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			<title>Fixed tax scheme</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611928/fixed-tax-scheme</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611928/fixed-tax-scheme#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 26 19:27:21 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611928</guid>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The new fixed tax scheme of the Federal Board of Revenue represents the latest attempt to expand the anaemic tax base using a flawed half-measure that is neither fair nor effective. The new scheme comes a year after the much-touted &#39;Tajir Dost&#39; scheme, which collected less than Rs1 million against an IMF-imposed target of Rs10 billion for the first quarter. A critical cause of the previous scheme&#39;s failure was its voluntary nature and lack of incentives. The new scheme has the same fatal flaws. People cannot be expected to give the government large sums of money out of the goodness of their hearts. There have to be some rewards for filing and harsh penalties for not filing.

In this case, the ridiculously low tax rate of 1%, coupled with audit exemptions, makes it seem like a &#39;wash&#39; scheme. Participants are also exempt from installing point-of-sale machines or issuing digital invoices, though they will not qualify for returns. Not only is this a step backward on the goal of digitising the economy, but it is also toothless in that nobody who actually pays the flat rate will want a refund - people opting in would invariably do so as a way to save money by paying a significantly lower tax rate.

Still, the scheme would have some value if it genuinely helps widen the tax net, but we will not get our hopes up. Until the government starts treating tax evasion like an actual crime, rather than some sort of game, it will never go beyond this yearly exercise of failed &#39;scheming&#39;. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. The government should abandon its incremental approach and go for a policy of genuine incentivisation, while also punishing non-compliance. Higher penalties, including jail time, along with rewards such as lower tax rates and access to loans and investment would be a start. Bringing evaders into the tax net must be done using a path paved with real rewards and real punishments for all.]]>
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			<title>Water insecurity</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611929/water-insecurity-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611929/water-insecurity-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 26 19:27:21 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[As Pakistan grapples with shrinking water availability and some of the highest electricity costs in its history, one would expect water infrastructure to sit at the top of the government&#39;s development agenda. Instead, the federal government&#39;s proposed allocation of just Rs179 billion for the water sector under the Public Sector Development Programme 2026-27 once again falls well below what is required to fast-track dams and hydropower projects that are essential for the country&#39;s long-term survival.

The proposed allocation has sparked concern among water and energy experts, who argue that at least Rs500 billion is needed to accelerate ongoing projects and begin work on new storage facilities. Their concerns are not misplaced. Pakistan is among the most water-stressed countries in the world, with per capita water availability having declined sharply over the decades. Climate change is compounding the challenge by increasing the frequency of both devastating floods and prolonged dry spells. Yet the country&#39;s ability to store water remains dangerously limited. While political leaders routinely acknowledge the importance of water security, investment has failed to keep pace with the scale of the crisis. No country dependent on agriculture can afford water vulnerability. At a time when consumers and industries alike are burdened by high power tariffs, hydropower offers one of the few avenues for affordable and sustainable energy generation.

The urgency is further heightened by cross-border concerns over upstream developments on rivers covered under the Indus Waters Treaty. Regardless of the diplomatic and legal dimensions involved, Pakistan&#39;s most effective response lies in strengthening its own water storage and river management capacity. The proposed Chiniot Dam on the Chenab, along with other planned reservoirs, deserves urgent attention rather than indefinite delays caused by inadequate funding.]]>
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			<title>Another force!</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611930/another-force</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611930/another-force#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 26 19:27:21 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611930</guid>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Government of Sindh has decided to launch a new, dedicated anti-narcotics force as the infamous &#39;Pinky&#39; drug trafficking case continues to unfold. While the plan is well-intentioned, it represents a fundamentally flawed approach to law enforcement &ndash; one that mistakenly relies on creating new agencies every time a high-profile case arises. The plan carries a host of cons: an entirely new institutional layer threatens jurisdictional overlap, inflate administrative costs and further complicate the security apparatus in vogue. Rather than a new force, the government needs the political will to empower and hold accountable the law enforcement agencies already mandated to curb drug trafficking.

The reality is that Sindh already boasts a vast security network, featuring police and excise departments, delegated to tackle the illicit narco trade. This is apart from the ANF which has a Regional Directorate in Karachi operating under federal mandate with the explicit authority to investigate, prosecute and dismantle drug networks across the province. Establishing a parallel force rightly questions the utility of these existing institutions if they are bypassed every time a high-profile case comes up. Creating new agencies is tantamount to a vote of no-confidence in the existing security network as well as an admission of failure to fix their systemic vulnerabilities, such as corruption and a lack of modern equipment.

Having said that, the government&#39;s vision to focus on technological modernisation does merit praise. The proposal to create a drone unit constitutes forward-thinking and needs to be pursued in letter and spirit. This advanced technology should also be integrated into existing agencies to upgrade their operational capabilities.

While cases like the one centring &#39;Pinky&#39; call for a more aggressive anti-drug strategy, adding new layers of bureaucracy is a distraction from the real cure. The provincial government, instead of creating new forces, should focus on reforming, funding and technologically arming the law enforcement structures that are already in place.]]>
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			<title>A Mideast deal a must</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611794/a-mideast-deal-a-must</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611794/a-mideast-deal-a-must#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 26 19:53:33 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611794</guid>
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				<![CDATA[The main factors are uranium enrichment threshold and the Strait of Hormuz manoeuvres]]>
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				<![CDATA[Escalation is on the cards in the Middle East as the uneasy ceasefire that has been in place since April 8 seems to be unravelling. Fresh skirmishes have been reported after the US military said it struck radar sites in Iran. In retaliation, the IRGC has pounded American interests in Kuwait and Bahrain with ballistic missiles. This has raised fears of resumption of hostilities as Tehran and Washington are digging in their heels for reasons of political exigency, getting farther from a perpetual peace deal.

The main factors stopping the two arch foes from finding a common ground are uranium enrichment threshold and the Strait of Hormuz manoeuvres. To add to this complexity is the new assessment from the UN nuclear watchdog, IAEA, which suspects that Iran is much closer to a bomb. Iran has, however, refuted such assumptions, saying the IAEA is &quot;turning technical reports into tools of political pressure&quot;, as it has &quot;lost oversight at some facilities&quot; owing to attacks from the US rather than a lack of cooperation from the Islamic republic. This sensitivity too is in need of being ironed out to the satisfaction of all stakeholders in the region and beyond.

The good point, nonetheless, is that Tehran and Riyadh are inching towards a greater understanding for serenity in the region, and fences have also been mended with the UAE. The onus is on the US to encourage this silent phase of diplomacy, and not to complicate it by flagging the &quot;indispensability&quot; of furthering the Abraham Accords, which are anyway a non-starter in the Muslim world.

Taming Israel from going berserk over Lebanon and desisting from trigger-happiness over Iranian installations is a must if the fragile ceasefire is to be upheld. Iran is on record saying that &quot;Lebanon is not a bargaining chip&quot;. Thus, a plethora of notes that have been exchanged between Iran and the US must graduate into a deal, and the goodwill mediation on the part of Pakistan must reap peace dividends. All it entails is writing a broad-based deal for the region in all sincerity.]]>
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			<title>Punishing efficiency</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611795/punishing-efficiency</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611795/punishing-efficiency#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 26 19:53:33 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611795</guid>
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				<![CDATA[If consumers punished for investing in alternative energy sources, confidence in future energy investments will weaken]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s power sector is once again attempting to treat the symptoms while ignoring the disease. The government&#39;s proposed &quot;two-part industrial tariff policy&quot;, shared with IMF and expected to be implemented within months, seeks to substantially increase fixed charges on industrial consumers who use less than their sanctioned electricity load or have shifted part of their operations to solar and other off-grid sources. Industries that consume more grid electricity would receive lower per-unit rates, while those reducing their reliance on the national grid would face heavier fixed charges.

At first glance, the policy appears logical. Pakistan&#39;s electricity sector is burdened by massive fixed costs and capacity payments. As industrial demand has weakened and businesses have increasingly adopted solar energy to escape some of the highest electricity tariffs in the region, the burden of these fixed costs has fallen on a shrinking pool of consumers. The government fears that if large industrial users continue leaving the grid, the entire financial model could erode. However, penalising consumers for seeking cheaper alternatives is not a sustainable solution. Businesses did not migrate to solar out of fashion or ideology. They did so because grid electricity became unaffordable and unpredictable. Over the past several years, industrial tariffs have risen sharply, eroding the country&#39;s competitiveness and increasing production costs. The proposed policy risks setting a dangerous precedent. If consumers are punished for investing in alternative energy sources, confidence in future energy investments will weaken. Higher fixed charges are effectively another cost of doing business. They will eventually be passed on to consumers through higher prices, further fuelling inflation and undermining industrial competitiveness.

The power sector&#39;s crisis is real, but the answer lies in structural reforms and renegotiation of capacity payments. A healthy electricity sector should retain customers because it offers reliable and affordable power, not because leaving has become prohibitively costly.]]>
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			<title>Death for demonic crimes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611796/death-for-demonic-crimes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611796/death-for-demonic-crimes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 26 19:53:33 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611796</guid>
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				<![CDATA[National conviction rate for gender-based crimes is 5%, with domestic violence convictions standing at just 1.3%]]>
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				<![CDATA[In a nation where the scales of justice often tilt against the most vulnerable, our courts have delivered powerful, unequivocal verdicts that deserve full endorsement from the public. By refusing to show leniency in two of the most horrifying cases in recent memory, the judiciary has reaffirmed that depravity deserves no concession.

This week, a Lahore High Court division bench dismissed the appeals of Abid Malhi and Shafqat Baga, upholding the death sentences handed down by an anti-terrorism court in 2021 for the two men behind the 2020 gang rape of a woman of Pakistani origin on the Sialkot-Lahore motorway, a brutal attack carried out at gunpoint in front of her three young children. The court ruled the death sentences to be &quot;lawful&quot;, leaving no room for ambiguity. We applaud this decision. The depravity of raping a mother in front of her children is beyond any comprehension, and the state&#39;s ultimate sanction is the only proportionate response.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court closed the chapter on the Noor Mukadam murder case, dismissing Zahir Jaffer&#39;s final review plea and sealing his death sentence for the grisly crime. After the Islamabad High Court and Supreme Court had already upheld the conviction, this closure is a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by the victim&#39;s family.

But while these verdicts may help renew faith in the legal system, the social system remains tattered. Gender-based violence is still concerning, and reports indicate that approximately 70% of such crimes are never reported due to social stigma and fear of retaliation. Even when they are reported, the national conviction rate for such crimes is an abysmal 5%, with domestic violence convictions standing at just 1.3%.

Given this reality, the courts&#39; resolute action is critical for punitive and preventive reasons. For the thousands of survivors who were betrayed by the system, we can only hope that seeing others get justice gives them some solace and pushes the government to try and ensure that the ranks of forgotten victims stop increasing.]]>
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			<title>Looming food crisis</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611659/looming-food-crisis-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611659/looming-food-crisis-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 26 19:02:16 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[US-Iran conflict has taken a toll on the global economy and supply chain]]>
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				<![CDATA[The US-Iran conflict and its spillover across the Middle East has not only impacted the geopolitical landscape, but has also taken a toll on the global economy and supply chain. The WFP has flagged an alert stating that billions of people are on the verge of a food catastrophe, as hunger is on the rise owing to soaring fuel and transportation costs as a consequence of the Middle East war. That has inevitably led to escalation in food prices.

The Strait of Hormuz that caters to more than 20% of oil supplies is in revulsion as realpolitik considerations are keeping countries on tenterhooks. Oil-dependent economies are struggling to manage their procurements from abroad. Thus, the UN aid agency minced no words in saying that humanitarian assistance is also under supply crunch, and that it could scale back on assistance for a larger segment of recipients.

It is worth noting that the economic fallout of the US-Iran war on the world is estimated to go up to $1 trillion. Likewise, it is worrisome to note that direct Pentagon expenditures for munitions and maintenance has run into roughly $1 billion a day. This is unfolding in a world that has seen more than a million Palestinians shunted out of the Israel-besieged Gaza, and forced to live a life of destitution. Moreover, millions of hungry mouths in the Dark Continent are unaccounted for, as they do not merit a place on elite-driven agenda. Last but not least is the oil per barrel tag that had escalated to $135, only to sink back to $90. The UAE&#39;s exit from OPEC-Plus and other fissures are adding uncertainty to global energy markets.

The UN has rightly warned that disruption in fuel and fertiliser supplies could push 30 million people into acute food crises. Similarly, shipment delays are driving up insurance premiums and freight rates, while causing organic supplies to perish. The unavailability of ammonia, urea and natural gas from the Gulf are other red flags for global food security. This sordid equation necessitates instant action to save the world from a looming recession as well as civil strife as millions face starvation.]]>
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			<title>Expanding settlements</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611660/expanding-settlements</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611660/expanding-settlements#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 26 19:02:16 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Israel is going ahead with its ethnic cleansing exercise in the West Bank]]>
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				<![CDATA[Israel is going ahead with its ethnic cleansing exercise in the West Bank, with over 2,100 new houses set to be built on illegal settlements in the Palestinian territory. The approval is a direct assault on international law that would shame several world leaders into resigning, but is worn as a badge of honour by members of Israel&#39;s ruling coalition of racists, bigots and war criminals.

The Israeli government&#39;s unrelenting support for illegal settlements and recent legislation criminalising Palestinian efforts to defend themselves from settler violence are clear efforts to permanently bury any Palestinian hope for statehood. Politicians like the far-right, pro-settlement finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, are openly admitting that such moves are strengthening Israel&#39;s grip on land that the international community recognises as belonging to the Palestinians. Meanwhile, armed settlers have been systematically terrorising Palestinian shepherds and farmers in the Jordan Valley, destroying crops, stealing livestock and assaulting residents as part of what the UN Human Rights Office described as a &quot;concerted Israeli policy of mass forcible transfer&quot; that raises &quot;concerns of ethnic cleansing&quot;.

Yet, despite this escalating campaign of terror, most Western nations are still disgracefully complicit. The EU has imposed minimal sanctions on a handful of settlers with a patchwork of wrist-slaps for extremist political leaders, while the US continues to actively defend Israel to the detriment of Americans. In fact, some congressmen have tried to gather support for a bill that would grant US citizens who previously served in the Israeli military the same rights as retired members of the US armed forces, which is an insult to American soldiers. Instead of putting the genocidal regime on pedestals, they need to be in courtrooms, facing consequences for their actions. Every architect of the genocide and ethnic cleansing campaigns must be targeted by the world community.]]>
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			<title>Minimum wage</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611661/minimum-wage-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611661/minimum-wage-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 26 19:02:16 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan's economic managers often point to improving macroeconomic indicators, easing inflation and signs of recovery]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s economic managers often point to improving macroeconomic indicators, easing inflation and signs of recovery. Yet for millions of workers, these statistics bear little resemblance to daily reality. Food prices remain elevated, utility bills continue to strain household budgets, rents have surged and transportation costs consume an ever-larger share of income. Against this backdrop, the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics has proposed raising the minimum wage by 12.5% to Rs45,000 and, more importantly, replacing symbolic wage announcements with a credible enforcement mechanism. It is a recommendation that deserves serious consideration.

The debate should not merely focus on whether Rs45,000 is affordable for employers. The more pertinent question is whether Rs40,000 remains sufficient for a worker supporting a family amid years of cumulative inflation. Although headline inflation has moderated from the record highs witnessed in recent years, the damage inflicted on household purchasing power has not disappeared. Families continue to grapple with expensive food, electricity, gas and housing. A minimum wage that fails to cover basic necessities effectively condemns full-time workers to perpetual financial insecurity. For years, successive governments have declared increases that exist largely on paper. Last year, the federal government did not even make a symbolic announcement, with concerns raised that many businesses were unwilling to comply with the existing wage floor. A minimum wage is meaningless if workers never receive it.

Critics argue that higher wages could burden businesses already struggling with high costs. This concern cannot be dismissed. However, persistently low wages also carry economic costs. The upcoming budget offers the government an opportunity to demonstrate that economic recovery is not solely about fiscal targets and balance sheets. It should mark the beginning of a rules-based wage governance system where announced wages are actually paid.]]>
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			<title>Blow to Trump</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611482/blow-to-trump</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611482/blow-to-trump#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 26 20:10:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611482</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The US Congress has castigated Donald Trump for his war-mongering in the Middle East]]>
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				<![CDATA[The US Congress has castigated Donald Trump for his war-mongering in the Middle East &ndash; in what amounts of a serious political setback. The vote in favour of blocking the American president&#39;s executive powers to go to war is a strategic blow too. Washington, nonetheless, is desperate for a deal with Tehran, but the Islamic republic seems unmoved and is rather dictating terms to the world&#39;s sole superpower. Tehran&#39;s preconditions for a deal include peace in Lebanon and closure of US bases in the Gulf. That is an upfront position which has literally undermined the understanding reached between the two arch foes at the time of ceasefire. The fact that Republicans are also getting bizarre with the brinkmanship in vogue and are distancing themselves just a couple of months before the mid-term vote in the US is fraught with serious consequences for the White House incumbent.

The resumption of skirmishes in the Middle East with Iranian drones and missiles making their way into the US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and other neighbouring states is a point of concern. The reported attack over Kuwait airport is bound to cause escalation, as it has apparently come as a tit-for-tat to the US strikes on Iranian energy and nuclear installations over the last few days. Moreover, the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz is leading to a nail-biter as hopes for withdrawal of US naval vessels have taken a backseat. Last but not least, Iran&#39;s supreme leader Syed Mojtaba Khamenei has raised the stakes by stating that the US domination in the region has outlived its utility, and it&#39;s high time a new regional and global order was ushered in.

The saving grace, nevertheless, is that Islamabad&#39;s mediation moves still find a solid constituency in both Tehran and Washington. This is where synergies must be multiplied in order to strike a convenient equation of serenity. The least that is desired is to give a shut-up call to Israel to desist from any misadventure over Lebanon and Gaza. At the same time, the US should also retreat from its maximalist position.]]>
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			<title>Prioritising climate</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611483/prioritising-climate</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611483/prioritising-climate#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 26 20:10:07 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611483</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, arrives this year with a message that is both timely and urgent]]>
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				<![CDATA[World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, arrives this year with a message that is both timely and urgent. Under the theme, &quot;Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future&quot; and the global campaign slogan #NowForClimate, the international community is being reminded that the window for meaningful climate action is narrowing rapidly. Hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, in partnership with the UN Environment Programme, the World Environment Day 2026 is a call to action at a moment when the consequences of climate inaction are becoming impossible to ignore.

The planet is sending unmistakable signals. Record-breaking temperatures, devastating floods, prolonged droughts, shrinking glaciers and increasingly frequent heatwaves are becoming the new normal. The significance of this year&#39;s theme lies in its recognition that nature itself is one of humanity&#39;s strongest allies in the fight against climate change. Healthy forests absorb carbon dioxide, wetlands reduce flood risks, mangroves protect coastlines and biodiversity strengthens ecosystem resilience. Nature is not a luxury but the foundation upon which climate security and human prosperity depend. Encouragingly, there are signs that the world is beginning to respond and countries are increasingly recognising the economic opportunities presented by a green transition. But much more needs to be done. Yet the world remains trapped in contradiction. On one hand, renewable energy deployment is accelerating at unprecedented rates. On the other hand, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and fossil fuels still dominate the world&#39;s energy mix, with many countries approving new oil and gas projects even while pledging carbon neutrality. Such is the hypocrisy.

Amid this unfolding crisis, the challenge for Pakistan is twofold. First, it must continue pressing developed nations to honour commitments on climate finance and loss-and-damage funding. Second, Pakistan must confront its own environmental failures. The irony is that many climate solutions would also address Pakistan&#39;s economic problems.]]>
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			<title>No end in sight</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611484/no-end-in-sight</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611484/no-end-in-sight#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 26 20:10:07 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611484</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Keeping track of the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV Project) feels a bit like Groundhog Day]]>
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				<![CDATA[Keeping track of the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV Project) feels a bit like Groundhog Day, where every morning starts with the possibility of completion and every night ends with the news of delay. This time, the KWSC has attempted to manage public expectations before time, stating that WAPDA-proposed 2026 deadline is unrealistic - marking perhaps the first time a consensus has been reached between public and government regarding this project.

Earlier this year, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal proudly stated that meeting Karachi&#39;s essential needs is a &quot;priority&quot; for the federal government. The extent of the Centre&#39;s &#39;priority&#39; was illustrated last year when WAPDA received only eight per cent of the required Rs40 billion from the federal budget for 2025-26. &#39;Anonymous&#39; officials had already revealed back then that the shortchange would possibly cost them a 10-year delay. In context of these numbers, it&#39;s almost as if a random deadline was chosen on a whim to appease citizens.

But KWSC&#39;s revised deadline &ndash; 2029 &ndash; also seems entirely fictitious. Part of the provincial government&#39;s process includes laying down 96-inch and 72-inch pipelines in a 2.7km stretch of land from NIPA to Hassan Square. The blind optimism that is aiming for 2029 was similarly exercised last year when University Road was closed for 50 days to complete construction. And 200 days later, it is still unfinished. What&#39;s more, the worse is yet to come because work on three distribution corridors spread out across the city&#39;s busiest urban areas hasn&#39;t even started yet.

All eyes are on this project. World Bank, a partial sponsor, also recently held a meeting with the CM Sindh regarding Karachi&#39;s delicate situation and was adequately reassured about &quot;ongoing progress&quot;. But the question remains - who will reassure the citizens who are walking towards a mirage, expecting to find water soon?]]>
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			<title>Taliban's resolve?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611303/talibans-resolve</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611303/talibans-resolve#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 26 21:33:43 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611303</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The decree issued by the Taliban leadership calling upon TTP to halt attacks against Pakistan is a welcome development]]>
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				<![CDATA[The decree reportedly issued by the Taliban leadership calling upon the TTP to halt attacks against Pakistan is a welcome development. Nonetheless, the development necessitates some concrete verification from the Afghan regime, as it is merely based on media reports. Exterminating the militants, especially the outlawed TTP, has been a fundamental demand from Islamabad, and it is high time Kabul exhibited responsibility to ensure that warlordism was done away with and serenity was restored on both sides of the divide. It&#39;s no revelation that the TTP, the ISIL, the Al-Qaeda and others are using Afghan soil to carry out cross-border terrorist activities. The spike in terrorism in K-P and Balochistan manifests their jingoism, and the Taliban 2.0 dispensation is squarely to be blamed for that.

Trust deficit between Afghanistan and Pakistan sits at the heart of this issue and must be resolved earnestly. The military option that Pakistan exercised against the militants holed up inside Afghanistan came only after Kabul&#39;s admitted failure to act against their &quot;guests&quot; for reasons of political exigency. Pakistan has time and again reached out to the Taliban rulers and engaged them in talks. The Urumqi dialogue held under Chinese mediation in April is a case in point. But all these efforts failed to materialise due to Kabul&#39;s apparent contempt toward Islamabad and its growing alignment with New Delhi&#39;s strategic interests, which permits extraterritorial activities that complicate regional dynamics.

Meanwhile, Taliban supreme commander Mullah Hibatullah Akhunzada must make his stance clear as regards the reported decree banning TTP attacks against Pakistan. It is worth appreciating, however, that last year more than 2,000 Afghan religious scholars had pronounced an edict against terrorism. That pronouncement must be heard in the corridors of power of the revulsion-ridden country. The Afghan rulers must condemn terrorism and act against the TTP, and likes, and flush them out of Afghanistan. Relocating them, or silencing them tactfully for a while, is no solution. The menace of terrorism must be uprooted branch and root.]]>
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			<title>No return from seas in sight</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611304/no-return-from-seas-in-sight</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611304/no-return-from-seas-in-sight#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 26 21:33:43 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611304</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[It has been over six weeks since 10 Pakistani sailors onboard the oil tanker Honour 25 were taken hostage]]>
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				<![CDATA[It has been over six weeks since 10 Pakistani sailors onboard the oil tanker Honour 25 were taken hostage by pirates off the coast of Somalia, along with the rest of the 17-member crew. The hostages have been languishing in captivity amid worsening conditions marked by diminishing supplies on board.

But while their families in Pakistan are enduring an agonising wait, the government&#39;s response has been lacklustre, at best. The international community seems to have little interest in intervening to help end the deadlock, and the Somali government is perpetually on the verge of collapse. Somalia&#39;s military and law enforcement agencies are no match for the sheer scale of militant and criminal opposition, which is why, when piracy started becoming an issue a few years back, some countries just went in unilaterally to rescue their nationals or flagged ships from pirates. Later, a coordinated international naval presence suppressed Somali piracy, but recent geopolitical distractions have created a security vacuum, allowing it to resurge.

Pakistan, it seems, is not only avoiding aggressive actions, but also meaningful ones. Even the government&#39;s biggest claims, if taken at face value, suggest that our efforts have been limited to platitudes and passive diplomacy. While the ransom demand has come down from $10 million to $4 million, the government and the owners of the ship seem least interested in paying up to end the hostage crisis. The hostages have told their relatives by phone that they are surviving on contaminated water and minimal food, which is causing illness to spread among the captives. The ship&#39;s engine has also broken down, leaving them stranded and increasingly vulnerable.

The government cannot just sit around waiting for a miracle. We must figure out a real response, either directly or with the help of allies. Failure to act will confirm that Islamabad doesn&#39;t really care about the welfare of its citizens who are doing honest work on the high seas.]]>
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			<title>Stench season</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611305/stench-season</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611305/stench-season#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 26 21:33:43 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611305</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Residents of Karachi are suffering from a stinking city as mounds of garbage and rotting offal line the streets]]>
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				<![CDATA[Almost a week after Eid-ul Azha, the residents of Karachi are suffering from a stinking city as mounds of garbage and rotting offal line the streets of urban localities. This filthy aftermath of a mismanaged sacrificial system has almost become an Eid tradition, with bikes and cars swerving to avoid sacs of animal faeces lying brazenly on roads. Another core tenet of Karachi&#39;s crisis management has also been fulfilled with Mayor Murtaza Wahab going around town claiming that the government has &quot;performed exceptionally well&quot; and has the situation &quot;completely under control&quot;.

&#39;Under control&#39; currently translates to the complete lack of a comprehensive cleaning strategy that equally prioritises all parts of the city instead of only major roads and prominent areas. The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) claimed to have fulfilled its responsibility by presenting a relatively neat &#39;exterior&#39; of the city, conveniently ignoring multiple areas that are still laden with foul-smelling trash, animal remains and decaying waste.

This putrid state of Karachi is almost absurd. Its citizens have already become accustomed to an all-year-round stench absorbed in the very fabric of this city owing to its disastrous waste management system - but the current condition surpasses all limits of civic decency.

When the government pays no heed to designating communal spots for animal sacrifice, the bare minimum it can do for environmental and public health is to carry out a meticulous cleanliness drive after Eid. The SSWMB is supposed to be responsible for fumigation services, lime treatment and disinfection to minimise the risk of diseases and mosquito breeding. But somehow, expecting basic hygiene practices from the government is an exercise in wishful thinking. Standard waste clearance alongside fumigation and disinfection treatments now must be carried out in every corner of Karachi before infections spread and the hospitals fill up.]]>
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			<title>Tracking medicines</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611115/tracking-medicines</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611115/tracking-medicines#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 26 19:42:49 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[DRAP must ensure that manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies are fully integrated into the system]]>
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				<![CDATA[The federal cabinet&#39;s approval of a nationwide track and race system for pharmaceutical products is a welcome step towards strengthening Pakistan&#39;s healthcare system. For years, the country has struggled with the presence of counterfeit and unregistered medicines that not only undermine public confidence but also pose a serious threat to human life. The introduction of a digital tracking mechanism has the potential to address a longstanding weakness in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Under the new framework, all pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers will be required to place standardised 2D barcodes and serialisation data on medicine packaging. This will allow regulators to monitor medicines from production to consumption while enabling consumers to verify a product&#39;s authenticity, expiry date and price. Such transparency is essential in a country where fake medicines have periodically surfaced in the market despite regulatory checks and enforcement actions. Traditionally, authorities have acted after counterfeit medicines were detected or complaints were received. A track-and-trace system, however, allows suspicious products to be identified much earlier, reducing the likelihood of harmful medicines reaching patients. It will also make product recalls more efficient and help regulators detect weaknesses in the supply chain. For low-income families already burdened by rising healthcare costs, purchasing ineffective or dangerous medicines can mean the difference between recovery and tragedy.

Now, DRAP must ensure that manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies are fully integrated into the system. Smaller pharmaceutical companies may also require technical support to meet compliance requirements without facing excessive financial burdens. If implemented effectively, the system can help eliminate counterfeit medicines and improve accountability in the healthcare sector. More importantly, it can ensure that when people purchase medicine, they can do so with greater certainty that the product in their hands is safe and genuine.]]>
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			<title>Sugar export proposal</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611114/sugar-export-proposal</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611114/sugar-export-proposal#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 26 19:42:49 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Government must not fall for the same misleading claims of a &quot;surplus&quot; stock that have burned us before]]>
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				<![CDATA[The recent request by sugar mill owners to once again export &quot;surplus&quot; sugar should be met with firm resistance. The case against allowing exports is well-established. Almost every year in recent history, mill owners have &#39;convinced&#39; the government to allow exports to stablise prices or for some other excuses, and within a few months, the country is left facing devastating shortages that lead to skyrocketing prices.

Last year, prices of the essential commodity skyrocketed from Rs120 to over Rs200 per kg as a direct consequence of flawed export approvals based on shoddy data provided by the mill owners themselves. An inquiry panel accused mill owners of acting like a cartel and the government of failing to properly regulate them, but none of the principal figures faced serious consequences. Similarly, last year&#39;s wheat crisis shows that the issue is not only about sugar. The government has time and again proven itself to be incapable of regulating the agriculture sector - especially when doing so would hurt the pockets of several members of the ruling class.

The government must not fall for the same misleading claims of a &quot;surplus&quot; stock that have burned us before. The damage from such price shocks can destroy household budgets, especially for poorer families, for whom food already makes up the lion&#39;s share of the household budget, and sugar is often the only reliable source of carbohydrates, since they may not be able to afford fruit.

If the government really wants to consider this proposal, it must first ensure accountability. Any approval must be contingent on a legally binding agreement that holds mill owners and traders liable for any resultant domestic shortage or price hike. They must be forced to either post bonds or face heavy penalties. Without such teeth, consumers will continue to suffer and go further down the poverty spiral, as mill owners line their pockets.]]>
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			<title>EU pathway</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611113/eu-pathway</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2611113/eu-pathway#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 26 19:42:49 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2611113</guid>
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				<![CDATA[EU's coming forward to buckle up Pakistan economy will be a great service]]>
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				<![CDATA[Top European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas&#39; word of praise for Islamabad, especially over its role in mediating between the United States and Iran, has set the stage for many more leaps forward for Pakistan in the realms of foreign policy. The route now for Pakistan is to focus and divert its synergies in tapping the 27-member European bloc for buoying its economic potential, and striking a more favourable deal in trade and tariffs. Pakistani products have the vibrancy to penetrate even deeper into the European markets, and bring dividends for its struggling economy.

Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, was here to be part of the 8th Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue, which she co-chaired along with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Her presence at a time when a new world order is unfolding, amid widespread global revulsion, depicts Pakistan&#39;s indispensability. Kallas promised more access to the bloc provided Islamabad adheres to the conditions of GSP+ scheme by inwardly addressing the irritants in the domains of labour laws, human rights protocols, democracy and rule of law. As a progressive state, Pakistan has upheld pluralism in its body politic, and this sense of commitment is in need of being portrayed in good faith by acting introspectively and undoing the flaws.

EU is Pakistan&#39;s largest export destination, accounting for $12 billion annually, and this preferential protocol under GSP+ scheme must be reworked by showcasing the geo-economic muscle of a struggling economy in pursuit of more laissez faire deals. Textiles, garments, small entrepreneur start-ups and culturally rich artefacts must resonate in EU more vividly.

EU&#39;s coming forward to buckle up Pakistan economy will be a great service, as it will help Pakistan over its role for fostering peace in the region by defeating the extremist ideology that shuns openness with the western world. New vistas in technology transfer, trade priority and climate cooperation are the hallmarks that need a preferential touch.]]>
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			<title>Missed targets</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610933/missed-targets-3</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610933/missed-targets-3#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 26 19:36:04 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610933</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[FBR sits fingers-crossed with a staggering deficit of Rs864 billion]]>
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				<![CDATA[As the ongoing fiscal year comes to an end, the FBR sits fingers-crossed with a staggering deficit of Rs864 billion. This poor performance exposes, yet again, the inefficiency of the tax machinery as well as the rotten system under which it operates. Thus, the upcoming budget looms with massive tax hikes &ndash; particularly for those segments of the economy that are already reeling under an unbearable burden. The foremost among these segments is the salaried class that by and large contributes Rs500 billion to overall taxes, as promising revenue streams manage to conveniently get away under elite patronage.

A sheer volume of proposed taxes is enough to make one breathless. The government, reportedly, mulls increasing withholding taxes on imports; further tweak income tax rates on wholesalers; slap new sales taxes on fast moving goods at the market price; and raise the sales tax on hybrid vehicles to 18% against the existing 8.5 to 12.75%. Moreover, Rs400 billion are to be raised through taxes supposed to be imposed by provinces in an attempt to meet the IMF-dictated tax target of Rs15.264 trillion for the next fiscal year. And, not to forget, the next fiscal year&#39;s petroleum levy target has been set at Rs1.73 trillion. This is nothing but fleecing the common man and sending the economy in a territory where it finds itself stagnated to the core. The only sector that is supposed to remain off the hooks are small traders who will see a 1% tax for an annual turnover of Rs200 million.

It is worth noting that the economy has nosedived across almost all sectors, as it hardly grew at 3.2%, miserably failing to meet the 4.2% target. Likewise, figures related to agriculture, industrial production and exports also fell, with remittances entering an uncertain zone, given a plausible loss of jobs for expatriates in the wake of the Middle East conflict. The question is whether the government can pull off the delicate balancing act of complying with the IMF&#39;s rigid demands and rescuing sovereigns.]]>
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			<title>Growing up offline</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610934/growing-up-offline</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610934/growing-up-offline#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 26 19:36:04 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Should children be allowed unrestricted access to social media?]]>
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				<![CDATA[The question of whether children should be allowed unrestricted access to social media has become one of the defining policy debates of the digital age. Governments across the world are increasingly concluding that the answer is no. The latest country to join this growing movement is Malaysia, which has begun barring those under the age of 16 from registering accounts on major social media platforms. The move places the responsibility on technology companies to verify users&#39; ages and protect minors from harmful online content, with hefty fines awaiting those that fail to comply.

Malaysia&#39;s decision seems to be part of a growing international consensus that the risks posed by social media to children have reached a point where government intervention is necessary. Australia has emerged as one of the most aggressive regulators in this area, requiring major social media platforms to prevent users under 16 from holding accounts. Norway has proposed raising the effective age threshold for social media access, arguing that powerful recommendation algorithms are being deployed against children whose cognitive development remains incomplete. Research and growing public concern point to a range of harms associated with excessive social media use among children. Social media platforms are designed to maximise engagement, often using algorithms that reward sensationalism and endless scrolling. Children, whose self-control and critical thinking skills are still developing, are particularly vulnerable to such systems. Many have also raised legitimate concerns about privacy.

For Pakistan, the lessons from Malaysia and other countries should be approached with caution and balance. The country undoubtedly faces many of the same challenges. Pakistani children and teenagers are increasingly exposed to cyberbullying, extreme content and harmful trends. Parents often struggle to monitor online activity, while digital literacy remains uneven. However, Pakistan should avoid the temptation of simply copying foreign models without considering local realities.]]>
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			<title>Rare case of death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610935/rare-case-of-death</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610935/rare-case-of-death#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 26 19:36:04 +0500</pubDate>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610935</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan's healthcare system seems to have made a fatal error in administering rabies vaccine]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s healthcare system seems to have made a fatal error in administering vaccines for a disease that is virtually cent per cent preventable and poses a near-zero per cent mortality risk to vaccinated individuals. About three months ago, a boy, 13, was brought to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in Karachi after suffering a dog bite and received what was thought to be a complete vaccination course for rabies.

The reason the teenager&#39;s death raises serious questions about public healthcare practices in the country &ndash; in fact in none other than its most modern city &ndash; is that rabies, if treated within an appropriate time period via vaccine, is entirely curable. The only factors that can hinder the vaccine&#39;s efficacy are related to either delays or improper administration. There is a possibility that the child was subject to delayed care perhaps because he was not immediately rushed to a hospital. But if that was not the case, this preventable death exposes critical flaws in hospital protocols.

For severe dog bites, especially on the face or neck, it is essential for a hospital to promptly administer rabies immunoglobulin (RIG) alongside routine vaccination for localised immunity. But public sector hospitals in Pakistan are notorious for RIG shortages, which is how a &quot;full dose&quot; of immunisation might still lead to death. Instances of vaccine failures have also been linked to improper wound washing, counterfeit vaccines or unfit storage temperatures. And all of these reasons warrant an in-depth investigation to figure out what exactly went wrong.

It is highly likely that this unfortunate death will soon be forgotten by both the media and the public and intentionally shoved under a rug by the hospital management. But questionable cases that signal towards foul play are often the very first thread that unravels a larger network of malpractice. Therefore, the thread must be pulled - if not for justice, then for prevention.]]>
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			<title>Dulhasti transgression</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610744/dulhasti-transgression</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610744/dulhasti-transgression#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 26 21:25:28 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[There are no two opinions that India is manipulating downstream waters for geopolitical reasons. Clearly believing in transgression as a modus operandi for furthering water terrorism, it is least bothered about international law or any bilateral legal instrument. Having unilaterally held the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, Delhi is now out to construct a controversial hydroelectric project on Chenab River in IIOJK. This confirms India&#39;s relentless maneuvering to penalise Pakistan on socio-economic grounds. The inevitable surge in hydro-political tension does not bode well for India either, as it is bound to impact the ecology of the region, besides adding to the hostility between the nuclear neighbours.

The 260 megawatt Dulhasti Stage-II project, meant to further choke the lower riparian Pakistan, is yet another blow to the amicably agreed IWT. It negates the understanding that nothing ex-parte can be decided on water channels, besides undermining the principles of cooperative transboundary water governance protocol. If built, the project will go on to further jeopardise Pakistan&#39;s water security. Islamabad has already warned that any attempt to throttle its due water share will be taken as an act of war, and reciprocated accordingly. This unilateral infrastructure expansion speaks of India&#39;s hegemonic designs and must come under collective condemnation by regional states.

Ironically, the Dulhasti obsession has been made public just days after a lawful snub India received at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which ruled that Islamabad&#39;s position regarding maximum pondage limits are rational, and Delhi&#39;s policy to construct hydroelectric projects on the western rivers are in contravention of the spirit of IWT. Declaring designs related to Rattle and Kishanganga as illegal, the dictum noted that India cannot &quot;simply claim that it needs large storage capacity without solid justification&quot;. Given this lawful limit on India&#39;s ability to control water on the western rivers, this new pricking at Dulhasti is nothing but an engineered mode of terrorism.]]>
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			<title>Freelance revolution</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610745/freelance-revolution</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610745/freelance-revolution#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 26 21:25:29 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Freelancing is no more a side hustle in Pakistan. It has evolved into one of the country&#39;s most lucrative and strategically important economic sectors allowing millions of young Pakistanis to participate in the global economy without ever leaving their homes. According to SBP data, Pakistani freelancers earned more than $950 million in foreign exchange during the first ten months of the ongoing fiscal year, registering an impressive 49% year-on-year increase. The country is now on track to cross the historic $1 billion mark in freelance export earnings before the close of the fiscal year.

These figures are significant not merely because of their size but because they represent export earnings generated largely by individuals rather than large corporations. Every dollar earned by a freelancer strengthens Pakistan&#39;s foreign exchange reserves and contributes to economic activity. According to Pakistan Freelancers Association, the country&#39;s freelancing community now numbers around three million people. However, the sector&#39;s future growth cannot be left entirely to individual initiative. Pakistan must move beyond celebrating freelancing success stories and begin treating the industry as a national economic priority. The government should work closely with the banking sector to simplify international payment mechanisms. Moreover, the absence of widely used international platforms such as PayPal continues to place Pakistani freelancers at a disadvantage when competing for clients. This must be sorted as such financial barriers continue to undermine the earning potential of many freelancers and often discourage newcomers from entering the field.

As artificial intelligence transforms global labour markets, routine services may become increasingly automated. Pakistani freelancers must therefore move up the value chain by specialising in high-demand areas of AI. The country cannot afford to remain confined to low-end digital services when the global market increasingly rewards specialised expertise.]]>
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			<title>1,000 ODIs milestone</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610746/1000-odis-milestone</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610746/1000-odis-milestone#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 May 26 21:25:29 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan reached a historic cricketing milestone this past weekend by playing its 1,000th One-Day International match, becoming only the third country to achieve this feat, alongside India and Australia. The Green Shirts marked the occasion in style, defeating Australia in Rawalpindi by five wickets in the opening game of the ongoing three-match series.

Debuting in the ODIs in 1973, Pakistan soon became a formidable cricketing force brimful of exciting players in all departments of the game. Over their 1,000 matches, Pakistan have won 527 and lost 442 while 9 stood tied. The victory percentage &ndash; 52.7 &ndash; is impressive, if not outstanding, proving that Team Pakistan is a force to reckon with. Against the world&#39;s top two teams, India and New Zealand, Pakistan boast a victory percentage in excess of 50. However, against Australia, the reigning ODI World Champion and world number three, Green Shirts have fared poorly at 33%.

Pakistan&#39;s 50-over resume includes two global titles: the 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup under Imran Khan and the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy under Sarfaraz Ahmed. The cricket nation has consistently produced some of the most formidable fast bowlers and wrist-spinners in history. It also has numerous notable individual records. Icons like Wasim Akram (502 wickets), Inzamam-ul-Haq (11,739 runs) and Saeed Anwar (highest individual score of 194 at one point) have set world-class benchmarks. More recently, batters like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman have maintained that elite standard, with Zaman&#39;s brilliant 210 not out standing as the highest individual score for Pakistan.

Even though Green Shirts&#39; performance is not up to the mark in recent times, they are still among the ones to watch out for. Notoriously unpredictable, they can do anything on the given day &ndash; beat the world beaters and crumble against the underdogs. Such a mercurial character ensures that they are never left out of the reckoning. As they enter their second millennium of ODI cricket, Green Shirts remain a captivating and dangerous unit on the international stage.]]>
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			<title>Rise of the roaches!</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610574/rise-of-the-roaches</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610574/rise-of-the-roaches#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 30 May 26 20:59:51 +0500</pubDate>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610574</guid>
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				<![CDATA[But the fast-rising movement remains a chaotic, virtual force whose ability to inspire real change remains to be seen]]>
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				<![CDATA[What began as a satirical jab has metamorphosed into something the Indian establishment cannot ignore. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), born from a misconstrued courtroom jibe by the Chief Justice of India, is the unlikeliest political phenomenon in a generation. Within days of its launch, the social media satire, parodying the ruling BJP, amassed over 22 million followers on Instagram, dwarfing the digital footprints of all of India&#39;s major political parties. The judge&#39;s elitist comments tapped into a deep reservoir of youth discontent over unemployment and institutional disconnect, as hundreds of millions of young Indians see no trace of the economic success story that the Modi government boasts.

But the fast-rising movement remains a chaotic, virtual force whose ability to inspire real change remains to be seen. Unlike the courageous, organised student-led uprisings in Bangladesh in 2024, which brought down an authoritarian regime, CJP may well peter out before it makes any impact in the offline world. Change takes sacrifice. While Bangladesh&#39;s students paid a bloody price for their demands, the CJP rebellion remains confined to memes and AI songs. Conversely, like the Bangladeshi students, and unlike the many king&#39;s parties posing as disruptors that we have seen throughout Pakistan&#39;s history, CJP - so far - is not a bunch of opportunists and propagandists, but sincere citizens offended by their government&#39;s failures. CJP also remains decentralised, with no &#39;social media wings&#39; faking engagement or running point on daily messaging.

But jokes aside, the most significant backgrounder on the origin of the movement&#39;s name is that supporters think the real cockroaches are the ruling class, as they often borrow from Amitabh Bachchan&#39;s monologue from 1991&#39;s Hum, where he compares insects to human pests. While the former, &quot;born from garbage&quot; can be killed with insecticide, the latter are &quot;born from the filth of society, born from the filth of sin. When they bite ... the whole country falls sick, and [no way exists] to kill them!&quot;]]>
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			<title>Worsening Ebola outbreak</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610573/worsening-ebola-outbreak</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610573/worsening-ebola-outbreak#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 30 May 26 20:59:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan should also deepen coordination with international public health agencies and neighbouring countries]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s decision to tighten health screening at Karachi&#39;s main international gateway in light of the Ebola outbreak is a lesson that not just the country but the world has learned repeatedly over the past two decades. Infectious diseases no longer remain confined within borders. In an age of mass travel and interconnected economies, a public health emergency thousands of kilometres away can rapidly become a domestic concern.

Health authorities have begun enhanced screening and monitoring of passengers at Karachi&#39;s Jinnah International Airport ahead of the return of Hajj pilgrims and amid growing international alarm over Ebola&#39;s spread. Dedicated staff, thermal scanners, emergency ambulances and isolation protocols have reportedly been put in place. Travellers arriving from African countries experiencing outbreaks and passengers returning from Saudi Arabia are expected to undergo heightened medical surveillance. Suspected cases are to be transferred to specialised infectious disease facilities for testing and isolation. The outbreak, centred primarily in DRC and Uganda, is rapidly worsening. WHO has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after cross-border transmission and mounting concerns over delayed detection. Health responders are struggling to keep pace, with over 900 suspected cases and approximately 220 suspected deaths reported so far. Pakistan&#39;s immediate risk remains relatively low. However, low risk does not mean no risk. International travel patterns create vulnerabilities that health systems cannot afford to underestimate. Hajj operations alone involve large-scale international movement involving pilgrims from dozens of countries, increasing exposure pathways that require careful monitoring.

Apart from initial precautionary measures, Pakistan should also deepen coordination with international public health agencies and neighbouring countries. Disease control in modern times depends not merely on national response but regional cooperation. Data sharing and traveller monitoring systems strengthen resilience.]]>
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			<title>Borrowing binge</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610572/borrowing-binge</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610572/borrowing-binge#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 30 May 26 20:59:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[But even though the cause may be something beyond the government's control]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s foreign borrowing surged a jaw-dropping 83 per cent in the first ten months of the current fiscal year, with the government securing nearly $11 billion in external loans - $5 billion more than during the same period last year. The increase is driven almost entirely by the fallout from Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu&#39;s Persian misadventure. In fact, the month of April - coinciding with the start of the war alone witnessed a nearly sevenfold increase.

But even though the cause may be something beyond the government&#39;s control, resolving the brewing trouble will be impossible without good governance and precision policymaking. The primary driver of borrowing remains debt servicing, with external repayments expected to reach almost $13 billion by the end of the year, compared to about $8 billion last year. There was some optimism that we might be able to break out of the debt refinancing loop - borrowing to service existing obligations - on the back of solid current account surpluses, but the spike in energy prices and its impact on the trade deficit have erased all of our gains. Without getting our accounts in order, it will be impossible for the government to invest the kind of amounts needed to improve socioeconomic conditions. Foreign and domestic debt servicing is devouring more than half of total revenues, strangulating the fiscal space needed for development, education and healthcare. During the first six months of the current fiscal year, just the interest payments on public debt were more than double the combined allocations for defence and PSDP.

If we are to escape the debt cycle, we must pivot towards increasing exports, attracting genuine foreign direct investment and plugging the leaks in the energy sector. Failure to do so will mean that the unsustainable debt pile of today will one day be a &#39;good memory&#39;, similar to how many people reminisce about decades past, when our economy was still a basket case, but debt was &#39;only&#39; a few billion dollars, and the dollar was &#39;just&#39; Rs50 or so.]]>
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			<title>Deadly heat</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610431/deadly-heat</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610431/deadly-heat#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 May 26 18:59:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Dadu has emerged as the epicentre of extreme heat, recording a staggering 51.5°C]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan is once again in the grip of an unforgiving heatwave that is testing the limits of public health preparedness. From suffocating humidity to inland heat, the current spell of extreme temperatures is part of a worsening climate pattern that is steadily becoming the new normal.

Dadu has emerged as the epicentre of extreme heat, recording a staggering 51.5&deg;C, breaking its decade-old record. Larkana and Jacobabad, both historically known as heat hotspots, followed closely at 50.5&deg;C. These are temperatures that blur the line between seasonal heat and climatic emergency. What is particularly concerning is the consistency of these extremes across districts. PMD has already indicated that large parts of Sindh and southern Punjab are experiencing temperatures 4&deg;C to 6&deg;C above normal, with some regions forecast to remain near or above 47&deg;C to 50&deg;C. The situation is further complicated by meteorological forecasts suggesting the possible influence of broader climate phenomena, such as El Ni&ntilde;o, which may suppress rainfall and intensify heat conditions across South Asia. Reduced monsoon activity would not only prolong heat stress but also deepen water scarcity in already arid and semi-arid regions.

Against this backdrop, mitigation can no longer remain a secondary policy concern. Immediate responses must focus on heatwave preparedness at the municipal level, including the establishment of cooling centres and the expansion of public water points. Work-hour adjustments for outdoor labour, particularly during peak afternoon periods, are essential to reduce exposure risks. At the national level, early warning systems need to be strengthened and better integrated with local governance structures so that alerts translate into actionable responses at the community level - whether Pakistan treats these heatwaves as isolated episodes, or it confronts them as part of a long-term climate emergency.]]>
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			<title>No rest for Gaza</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610430/no-rest-for-gaza</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610430/no-rest-for-gaza#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 May 26 18:59:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Even on a day as holy as Eid, a fragile ceasefire offered no respite]]>
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				<![CDATA[The holy days of Eid-ul-Azha are meant to herald peace, festive meals and the laughter of children dressed in new clothes. Instead, for the 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza, the sacred occasion arrived with the roar of warplanes, the thunder of artillery and the frantic digging of survivors. Over two years into a relentless war, the concept of celebration has been swallowed whole by a devastating reality.

Even on a day as holy as Eid, a fragile ceasefire offered no respite. The bombs did not pause for prayer, and airstrikes continued targeting tents and homes, stealing dozens of loved ones away from their families on a day that is meant to be a celebration. Rather than exchanging meat and stories, families gathered over mass graves. Amid this apocalyptic landscape, the sheer exhaustion of survival has turned everyday rituals into a form of grief. Families walk through depleted marketplaces not to buy food and supplies but merely to look, returning to their shelters heartbroken as even the act of looking reminds them of what has been lost. The traditions of Eid - the baking of maamoul and the sacrificing of animals - have been completely stripped away. A sacrificial sheep that once cost 1,000 shekels skyrocketed to 15,000, leaving families unable to afford a single kilogram of meat. Under UNICEF tarpaulins, Eid biscuits are baked in makeshift clay ovens, and a single piece of candy serves as a child&#39;s Eid gift.

Gaza has sacrificed everything and received nothing in return - not even a single day of peace to celebrate their religion. With each passing day, Gazans are consumed by fear and hunger, while the rest of us move on with our lives. And as the world watches in silence, Gaza continues to lose the basic human right to feel alive.]]>
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			<title>Reforming UNSC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610429/reforming-unsc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610429/reforming-unsc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 May 26 18:59:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan's call for a 'more democratic, representative and accountable' UNSC]]>
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				<![CDATA[Reforming United Nations Security Council, the UNSC, has been an earnest desire of member states who believe in pluralism, equality of sovereign rights and a world free from aggression. That, nonetheless, could not be achieved owing to the power politics exhibited by the permanent members of the elite club, with the pinnacle of ego-centrism resting in the veto power. Thus, wars, poverty and climatic degradation that impact billions of people are mere footnote concerns, as smaller states remain subjugated in the echelons of the world body. This is where a change is desired, if the world body has to absolve itself of a fate meted out to League of Nations.

Pakistan&#39;s call for a &quot;more democratic, representative and accountable&quot; UNSC must come to unite all member states under a single-point agenda. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has rightly warned that &quot;unilateralism and selective application of international law&quot; are factors that go on to undermine global stability. Earlier as well, Islamabad has canvassed for abolishing the veto power, with the member states reminded that the &quot;General Assembly cannot be divorced from the real world&quot;, and &quot;it&#39;s high time realpolitik took a backseat&quot; at global fora.

It is current history that the US had gone on to invade foreign countries without a UN mandate. The overthrow of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is a case in point. Also, the transgression exhibited by Israel as it even went on to formally freeze all contacts with the UN Secretary-General is an indication of power arrogance that has weakened pluralistic thought process in the world body.

This chaotic order bred at the whims of the UNSC has led to more confusion, as territorial, political and self-determination issues remain unresolved. The principled obsession of &#39;Uniting for Peace&#39; remains unrealised, as the UN Charter is miserably at the disposal of a few mighty entities. This is where China&#39;s doctrine of improving global governance through multilateral cooperation gains currency. A comprehensive and forward-looking framework for addressing the governance deficits of our age cannot be ignored any further.]]>
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			<title>Time to share blessings and joy!</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610235/time-to-share-blessings-and-joy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610235/time-to-share-blessings-and-joy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 26 18:18:53 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610235</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Eid-ul-Azha reminds us of significance of sacrifice, generosity to the needy, and submission to the Will of Almighty]]>
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				<![CDATA[Eid-ul-Azha reminds us of the significance of sacrifice, generosity towards the needy, and the spirit of submission to the Will of Almighty. The glorious episode of love that Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) beseeched for the Creator &ndash; as he went on to &#39;slaughter&#39; his son, Ismael, in compliance with his prophesy dream &ndash; is a lesson in obedience and commitment to the commandants of Allah, and for inculcating a society that is selfless and puritan.

This is what the contemporary Muslim world needs. And the best way to pay homage on this day is to recommit ourselves to the teachings of Islam that call for erecting a benevolent society by shunning prejudice and embracing each other in pursuit of a monolithic community. That is how &ndash; through a gesture of cordiality and oneness &ndash; true salvation can be attained and socio-economic irritants can be overcome.

This year&#39;s ritual of Hajj has come on the heels of war and destruction in parts of the world, with the effects felt even farther and wider. And the fact that millions of people have still managed to pour over the holy land for circumambulating the Holy Kaaba is a blessing, indeed. Braving heat and odd conditions to seek divine blessings, the pilgrims have united to pray for global peace and harmony, and a world free from discrimination.

This Festival of Sacrifice is all the more important as it buoys inter-faith harmony in a world marred by wars, conflict, disharmony and hatred. The exemplary sacrificial deed of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) is eulogised and held in high esteem by three great religions of divinity &ndash; providing an opportunity for reconciling worldly differences and working together for bringing an end to poverty and parochialism.

Moreover, this is a day of joy for all. As the affluent make sacrificial offerings, they are under an obligation to share it with the poor and needy. This way they also realise the importance of economic disparity widespread in our midst, and learn why the Almighty has instructed us to care for the deprived segments of society. Pakistanis too must find a moment of introspection on this day, as our society is plagued by severe economic grievances, while persistent instability continues to exact a heavy toll.

The first small gesture of making a new beginning is to embrace each other, and take a leap forward in socio-political amalgamation. That would truly be in the spirit of the great sacrifice, as shunning ego-centrism and collectively working for an ordained society is, primarily, the true message of Eid. Reaching out to aggrieved and deprived sections of society, and pledging to do away with hatred and sense of otherness are indispensable gestures. Peers, parents and scholars must inculcate this message without failing. A very happy Eid Mubarak to our readers!]]>
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			<title>75 years of ironclad friendship</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610234/75-years-of-ironclad-friendship</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610234/75-years-of-ironclad-friendship#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 26 18:18:53 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610234</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PM Shehbaz's ongoing tour of China has reinforced the deep strategic, economic alignment between Islamabad, Beijing]]>
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				<![CDATA[Timed with the 75th anniversary of bilateral ties, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&#39;s ongoing tour of China has reinforced the deep strategic and economic alignment between Islamabad and Beijing. While Beijing is always going to be the bigger partner, Shehbaz&#39;s meetings with all of China&#39;s top leaders &ndash; including President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang &ndash; and agreements in several critical areas speak of Islamabad&#39;s importance in the relationship. Some of the deals reached include agreements relating to agriculture, education, media cooperation and trade, reflecting the widening scope of the bilateral engagement beyond the traditional framework of infrastructure and defence ties. Pakistani officials also projected the tour as a shot in the arm for CPEC and for potentially attracting fresh investment at a time when Pakistan - like most of the world - has come under severe economic instability and fiscal pressure due to the US-Israeli misadventure in Iran.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also made clear that Beijing supports and appreciates Islamabad&#39;s role in seeking to resolve the Iran war, which has ravaged the global economy. The statement - and similar praise from PM Shehbaz - demonstrate the fact that despite the shifting geopolitical sands, Pakistan and China remain on the same page. In a broader sense, it is also worth noting that China&#39;s &#39;stamp of approval&#39; for Islamabad&#39;s role in facilitating US-Iran talks is confirmation that both warring parties trust Pakistan. Not only is China also Iran&#39;s most important ally and its biggest trading partner, but is one of the only countries in the world that can&#39;t be bullied by the US, and its endorsement could prove critical to ensuring the US respects any future peace deal. It also reasserts Pakistan&#39;s importance in world affairs, as the country is proving its mettle in walking the fine line required to maintain healthy relationships with all of the world&#39;s power centres.

Meanwhile, the joint statement issued after wide-ranging interactions and engagements between the two sides is reflective of a &quot;new broad consensus on further deepening the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and on international and regional issues of mutual interest&quot;. That the two sides decided to &quot;move faster to build an even closer China-Pakistan Community with a Shared Future in the New Era&quot; shows a mutual commitment to safeguarding shared core interests and regional stability. Coming in complete reciprocity is PM Shehbaz&#39;s express support for President Xi&#39;s &quot;vision of building a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity and the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI)&quot;.

On diplomatic front, Islamabad&#39;s &quot;strong commitment to the one-China principle&quot; with Taiwan being &quot;an inalienable part of the territory of the People&#39;s Republic of China&quot; and Beijing&#39;s insistence on &quot;peacefully resolving&quot; the Kashmir dispute &quot;in accordance with the U.N. Charter, relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements&quot; as well as its readiness for &quot;trans-boundary water resources cooperation under the principle of equality and mutual benefit&quot; illustrate that the strategic alliance between the two sides is based on a strict framework of mutual diplomatic reciprocity. Moreover, their agreement to stay in close coordination on Afghanistan and prohibit any individual, group or party like TTP, ETIM, etc from using their territories for spreading unrest highlights a unified front against cross-border militancy in pursuit of regional peace and security.

No wonder, 75 years and counting!]]>
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			<title>Empty tanks before Eid</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610040/empty-tanks-before-eid</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610040/empty-tanks-before-eid#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 26 19:27:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610040</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In Karachi, expecting basic civic facilities without routine interruptions is akin to asking for the moon]]>
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				<![CDATA[Breakdowns at the Dhabeji pumping station that provides millions of gallons of water to Karachi are so frequent that they almost seem like standard procedure; as if bylaws demand that the citizens are kept inconvenienced so that they are adequately trained for survival in this city. Three separate incidents of disruption in the water supply in only the past two months are a clear case in point. But with the most recent one occurring merely a week before Eid-ul-Azha, the authorities concerned are undoubtedly answerable to the public about their glaring lack of precautionary measures.

In Karachi, expecting basic civic facilities without routine interruptions is akin to asking for the moon, but surely just days before the city is set to be clothed in blood and faeces, shouldn&#39;t ensuring continuous water supply have been a top priority? Already the metropolis is in a state of reckless abandon. Every other area is dug up courtesy of the Sui Southern Gas Company, and every day is a new battle between the citizens and the streets of Karachi. All this chaos, now made complete with the delay in normal water supply, only signals towards an ill-managed state of affairs this Eid.

The relevant authorities manage to evade accountability time and again and are let off with a mild slap on the wrist by higher-ups. With regard to the most recent failure, the Chief Minister &quot;took note of the water shortage&quot;, then promptly washed his hands off further responsibility. There are no precautions and there are no consequences. But the people of Karachi deserve better than having such a significant religious occasion, meant for celebration and joy, marred by trickling taps in thirty-degree weather. Now only time will tell whether Karachi still smells like blood after a week.]]>
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			<title>Data security</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610039/data-security</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610039/data-security#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 26 19:27:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610039</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[More troubling is the suggestion that information leaks may have been enabled through institutional channels]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s digital transformation has accelerated rapidly over the past decade. But while the country has embraced technology, it continues to treat data protection with an alarming degree of complacency. A case in point are the recent revelations surrounding a network of individuals involved in stealing sensitive information of Pakistani citizens and selling it onward.

More troubling is the suggestion that information leaks may have been enabled through institutional channels. If citizens cannot trust institutions to safeguard their information, confidence in the state&#39;s digital infrastructure itself will erode. The country&#39;s push towards digitisation cannot proceed without recognising that information security is part of overall infrastructure. Roads require maintenance. Power systems require regulation. Digital systems require protection. Pakistan has also struggled to establish a comprehensive legal framework capable of protecting personal information at scale. Personal Data Protection Bill has remained under discussion for years without becoming a fully operational reality. Meanwhile, digital expansion continues accelerating, and the gap between technological growth and regulatory preparedness continues to widen.

It is therefore imperative to build an entire governance ecosystem around data as a national asset. Institutional access to data must be radically tightened. Most large-scale leaks globally do not happen through &quot;hackers in isolation&quot; but through excessive internal access. Every access to sensitive records must be logged, time-stamped and auditable. In parallel, there must be automated anomaly detection systems that flag unusual data extraction patterns in real time. At present, multiple institutions hold data without a unified authority that can inspect and inspect across the system. A strong, autonomous data protection regulator - similar in function to models in the EU or parts of Asia - would do well to curtail this problem. The state build the institutional capacity required to protect data before it continues to promote digitisation as a marker of modern governance.]]>
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			<title>An untenable approach</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610038/an-untenable-approach</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2610038/an-untenable-approach#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 25 May 26 19:27:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2610038</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Masses are rather in for another bombshell of taxation]]>
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				<![CDATA[The government has dropped hints that the upcoming budget may not feature any raise in salaries and pensions &ndash; suggesting a lack of consideration for the economic pressures facing the salaried sector. The Federal Minister of State for Finance has, in a recent statement, cited IMF commitments for the government&#39;s inability to offer any fiscal relief to the masses. The statement underscores how disconnected policymakers remain from the harsh economic realities confronting average citizens. It speaks of the hollowness of the dispensation in addressing economic woes despite tall claims of achieving financial stability, improving forex reserves and restoring confidence of the lenders.

The masses are rather in for another bombshell of taxation. The provinces have been asked to generate an additional Rs400 billion, as the federation has to extract another Rs268 billion from petroleum development levy &ndash; something that would send the prices, already in excess of Rs400 per litre, even higher. Likewise, our products, lacking competitiveness in the international market, have resulted in our exports dropping by 6.25% to $25.21 billion during the July-April period of FY26. Imports, on the other hand, have crossed the $50 billion mark in the first 10 months of the ongoing fiscal, reflecting an increase of over 9 per cent. That obviously has an impact on the prices of essentials that are conveniently getting out of the common man&#39;s reach.

The laissez-faire approach of the government has emboldened elite capture &ndash; remember, $22 billion per annum are usurped in the country, according to World Bank estimates. No wonder, a further 10% of the populace has fallen below the poverty line. With more than 10 million stunted children, 26 million out of school kids, 7% unemployed individuals and 53% souls devoid of drinking water, the fabric of nationhood is in tatters. Last but not least, the government&#39;s austerity is no less than a mockery as the mighty and the powerful hold sway over state resources. The least that is desired is to protect the downtrodden from the dictates of the lenders.]]>
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			<title>Digital fire safety</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609877/digital-fire-safety</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609877/digital-fire-safety#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 26 19:27:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2609877</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Fire incidents in dense urban environments are often made worse by delays in accessing basic information]]>
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				<![CDATA[Karachi&#39;s fire safety record has long been shaped by neglect and weak oversight, with action often coming only after disaster strikes. Commercial buildings continue to operate with missing safeguards and outdated systems, turning everyday spaces into avoidable risks. Against this backdrop, the city administration&#39;s decision to develop a dedicated mobile application for centralising fire safety data is a welcome shift in approach.

The initiative, taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the commissioner, aims to bring together information on commercial buildings and major public venues on a single digital platform. Rescue agencies will be able to access building-specific safety details during emergencies, allowing for quicker coordination and more informed response. Officials have also reported that more than 800 buildings have already been surveyed and that notices have been issued to those failing to meet required standards. On paper, this represents a meaningful step towards modernising emergency response.

Fire incidents in dense urban environments are often made worse by delays in accessing basic information about the affected structure. Knowledge of exits, water sources, electrical layouts and occupancy can change the outcome of an emergency response. A centralised system can reduce dependence on fragmented records and institutional guesswork.

Karachi&#39;s broader challenge, however, lies beyond information management. The city has repeatedly struggled with weak enforcement of building regulations. Commercial expansion has often outpaced regulatory capacity, leaving gaps in inspection and compliance. In many cases, buildings are repurposed without adequate safety upgrades, while basic requirements such as accessible exits and functioning fire equipment are overlooked.

The ongoing audit exercise suggests that authorities are at least attempting to address this gap. High-risk structures are being identified and documented, and compliance notices have been issued. Yet the success of the mobile application will depend on whether it becomes part of a sustained enforcement framework or remains a standalone technical solution.]]>
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			<title>More convictions, higher visibility</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609876/more-convictions-higher-visibility</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609876/more-convictions-higher-visibility#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 26 19:27:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2609876</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A year after the FIRs were registered, the criminal is finally facing the consequences of his actions]]>
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				<![CDATA[A so-called cleric serving a religious seminary in Karachi has been handed double 15-year sentences along with a fine of Rs2 million by a sessions court for sexual abuse &ndash; a crime that is rarely reported, let alone penalised. Two boys came forward with their complaints, illustrating exactly why these perpetrators must not be protected or feared. It was only after one report, filed against the cleric, hit the television headlines that a second boy recognised him and reported his own ordeal.

A year after the FIRs were registered, the criminal is finally facing the consequences of his actions.

For a justice system to work effectively, two mechanisms must work together like a well-oiled machine. Reporting and conviction. But the fact of the matter is that when a crime is made taboo not in its execution but in its suffering, the probability of reporting drastically goes down. It is why we must encourage convictions and justice for existing victims, so that those who are too afraid to speak up gain the courage to do so. In order to assure them that the law stands with their pain.

Moreover, while instances of sexual abuse have been identified in mainstream educational institutions also, it is very sad to note that such immoral and illegal conduct has once again found its link with a religious seminary,&nbsp;firming up the notion that these places often hide a bleak reality behind their religious exterior, which is sometimes the very facet that allows clerics to hide in plain sight.

According to a 2023 census, there are over 36,000 madrassahs in Pakistan with over 2 million students, and a large number freely operate unregistered. Meant to be hubs for spiritual development and personal growth, these institutes have at times come under scrutiny for unimaginable levels of violence, especially against minors, including sexual abuse and rape. However, it&#39;s encouraging to note that in the case under study, the abuser has failed to hide behind the guise of religion.]]>
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			<title>Quetta train blast</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609875/quetta-train-blast</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609875/quetta-train-blast#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 26 19:27:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2609875</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Repeated attacks on Jaffar Express underscore the calculated strategy of terrorists to disrupt vital transport links]]>
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				<![CDATA[The heinous blast on a shuttle train in Quetta yesterday, which claimed at least 14 lives amid fears of a rise in casualties, underscores the terrorists&#39; callous agenda to spread terror and inflict maximum suffering. The martyrs also include three Frontier Corps personnel, indicating that security forces may have been targeted intentionally alongside civilian passengers &ndash; in a nefarious attempt to not just shatter public peace but also to shake the resolve of the guardians of peace.

Earlier, repeated attacks on Jaffar Express and its audacious hijacking in March last year underscore the calculated strategy of the terrorists to disrupt vital transport links to sow fear. And this has come amid ongoing security concerns, as the whereabouts of the Gwadar University vice chancellor and his three associates are still a mystery. The VC, along with his staff officer, driver and the pro-VC, had gone missing on May 15 while travelling from Quetta to Gwadar.

That yesterday&#39;s train blast and other mentioned incidents are the handiwork of Fitna al-Hindustan goes without saying. Foreign adversaries, operating in tandem with these domestic collaborators, are seeking to bleed the country, with the restive Balochistan province, along with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, being the main theatre of violence. Of a total of 5,397 terrorist incidents reported during the last year, Balochistan witnessed 1,557, nearly a third. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, meanwhile, recorded more than twice as much, at 3,811.

While in an unmatched display of valour, the security forces condemned to hell a total of 2,597 terrorists during the same time period, the use of kinetic force alone has apparently not been successful in realising the target of restoring peace and stability by scaring the dissidents to drop arms and fall in line. The situation does warrant more coordinated measures to exterminate the menace of terrorism, but not without taking conciliatory steps simultaneously to win back the reconcilable elements.]]>
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			<title>Dog culling ban</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609721/dog-culling-ban</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609721/dog-culling-ban#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 23 May 26 19:45:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2609721</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Islamabad High Court has permanently banned the poisoning and shooting of stray dogs in favour of a humane alternative]]>
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				<![CDATA[When it comes to stray dogs in Pakistan, people often have two different responses. On one hand, there are those who treat them like pets and put out food and water. While on the other hand, an entirely different fear-laden reaction grips those who are wary of ever-increasing attacks by an unmanaged population of strays. Both parties have reasonable responses in their own right. But instead of aiming for a middle ground between compassion and safety, our local authorities have long opted for deeply inhumane methods including poisoning, shooting and killing stray dogs as an unseemly attempt at reducing their population.

The Islamabad High Court&#39;s permanent ban on these outdated methods in the capital will now hopefully bring an end to a &#39;solution&#39; that never even managed to control the population of stray dogs in the first place. Dog culling is touted as a public safety measure but not only is it ineffective, it also causes the animals prolonged pain and suffering.

In place, the High Court has encouraged the &quot;catch, neuter and release&quot; programme which is a globally accepted and much more merciful approach towards population control. Although, it is also imperative that the endeavour does not merely end there. We must construct a society where every living being is respected and cared for, which means building shelters and sanctuaries for strays and also carrying out mass vaccination drives for the sake of both human and animal health.

It is true that the notion of protecting animals seems absurd in a country where even humans are deprived of such basic rights, but if we nurture our drive for compassion, it is reflected back through every facet of our lives. Our strife to care for the voiceless, defenceless and homeless must also include animals - who are not simply neglected but actively assailed.]]>
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			<title>Formalising labour</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609720/formalising-labour</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609720/formalising-labour#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 23 May 26 19:45:07 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2609720</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A bill that protects domestic workers only works if those workers feel safe enough to actually use it]]>
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				<![CDATA[In a welcome move, Sindh Assembly has finally approved and passed the Domestic Workers Welfare Bill 2025 that aims to safeguard the rights of household workers whilst protecting them against exploitation and mistreatment. This new law sets regulated working hours, bars child labour and mandates rest breaks, medical care and written employment contracts - a significant step for what has always remained a largely informal industry.

Household employment in Sindh &ndash; by the way, in other parts of the country too &ndash; has historically existed in a legal vacuum. Most workers are unregistered; therefore, the employers remain unaccountable. The Sindh Home Based Workers Act of 2018 was a similar attempt at legally recognising home-based workers, but it failed to achieve widespread implementation. While there is still a waiting period for this bill to be passed by the Senate, it seems wise to be adequately cautious about its implementation this time around.

As always, the loophole is enforcement. The bill&#39;s Dispute Resolution Committee places the burden of complaint entirely on the worker. Within highly sensitive power dynamics, a domestic worker is unlikely to report their employer for fear of retaliation or losing an income source, and there is no whistleblower protection in the bill that would ease these fears.

The bill also requires an employment letter to be submitted to a labour inspector. The ground reality of household employment must be understood. Employers in this economy - a lot of whom are housewives - have never been monitored before. It seems that the labour department has not been given an increased budget or staffing to begin monitoring now, and citing lack of resources seems like a fairly easy way to escape this mandate.

A social safety net must complement this bill to fix what is fundamentally a poverty problem. This includes expanded income support, legal aid and anonymous reporting channels. Without these, Sindh might just be revisiting 2018.]]>
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			<title>Energy security</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609719/energy-security-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609719/energy-security-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 23 May 26 19:45:07 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan's economy was nearly derailed in days by an energy shock that a well-managed reserve could have absorbed]]>
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				<![CDATA[The recent push to establish a strategic oil reserve is a much-needed solution that would have been timely about 20 years ago, when the country was flush with dollars, and several economists had floated the idea. Back then, the country was also dealing with record-high oil prices, but the ruling class decided that it was better to ride out the wave rather than build a buffer to protect the poor. This time around, policymakers have finally listened to the constructive criticism.

For years, the country has operated with dangerously thin buffers, and market volatility for any reason - such as the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis - exposes the whole economy. We currently maintain just 20 to 30 days of fuel cover through commercial stocks, compared to the International Energy Agency&#39;s recommended 90 days. We have seen the impact of those thin reserves at the pump, as prices have shot up, and there were legitimate concerns at one point that the country could run out of oil. A well-managed strategic reserve would insulate, though still not immunise, the country against market shocks that can instantly trigger a balance of payments crisis.

Opponents of a reserve will immediately point to Pakistan&#39;s strained finances and the IMF&#39;s fiscal consolidation targets. But while the upfront cost is significant - about $2 billion just to build up 90 days&#39; worth of storage capacity - the addition of a one-time expense pales in front of the recurring &#39;crisis cost&#39;. Pakistan&#39;s weekly oil import bill rose by $500 million per week after the Iran War began, with a spike of 167% within days of the war starting. That spike would not have happened if energy market planners could hedge on purchasing based on oil reserves.

While some proposals floating around have two-year timelines to build up reserves, it would be better to focus on seeding it sooner, rather than later. Once prices begin to stabilise, one solution would be to use deferred payment deals or similar strategies to begin filling the reserves without facing a large up-front bill. But we cannot ignore energy security. As the past few weeks have shown, high exposure in the sector can derail in days a painful years-long project to get the economy on the right path.]]>
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			<title>Nishtar hospital again</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609572/nishtar-hospital-again</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609572/nishtar-hospital-again#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 May 26 19:04:16 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Nishtar Hospital had an HIV outbreak less than two years ago and has already repeated the same mistake]]>
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				<![CDATA[The recent incident at Nishtar Hospital in Multan, where a patient underwent surgery without mandatory HIV screening and later tested positive, is another example of the lax safety standards at our hospitals that is driving up the number of avoidable HIV infections every year. In Multan, a junior doctor&#39;s objection to the missing HIV report was ignored. This single act of negligence may have exposed an entire surgical team to the deadly virus.

The hospital&#39;s response was surprisingly nonchalant - forming an inquiry committee and disinfecting the operating theatre. The former is supposed to happen after every case of potential medical negligence, while the latter should ideally be done after every surgery. To put it another way, the hospital did the bare minimum. But making things worse is the fact that less than two years back, the same hospital was at the centre of an HIV outbreak caused by failure to follow basic safety protocols.

In November 2024, a patient died, and 30 others contracted HIV due to gross negligence in the dialysis unit of the Multan hospital. A machine reserved for patients with HIV was being used on patients who did not have the virus. Several patients also tested positive for Hepatitis C, another blood-borne disease which can be spread by sharing equipment that has not been properly disinfected between patients.

In that instance, the knee-jerk response of the Pakistan Medical Association was to demand that the head of the hospital, who had been suspended, be reinstated; accuse the inquiry team of incompetence; and say that the government&#39;s AIDS prevention protocols were inadequate.

All of these &#39;defences&#39; are actually confessions that point to the bigger problem. Firstly, nobody in Pakistan seems to take responsibility for things going wrong. A conspiracy or external bad actor is always to blame. Second, inquiries are only required when disasters happen. A well-run hospital may have to deal with the tragedy of one or two accidental infections that are quickly traced, but not 35. Third, good doctors would aim to outperform the government&#39;s minimum standards, rather than struggle to meet them.

The relevant health authorities must improve scrutiny, but doctors must also hold themselves to higher standards. While irresponsible workers in some jobs may only cause financial losses and be allowed to get off with a warning, careless doctors ruin lives, and that is unforgivable.]]>
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			<title>Proud at 75</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609571/proud-at-75</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609571/proud-at-75#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 May 26 19:04:16 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[&quot;Second to none and truly unique&quot; — Pakistan and China mark 75 years of all-weather partnership]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan and China are phenomenal friends, indispensable strategic partners and exemplary neighbours. Marking the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, the two countries resolved to scale new heights of success and to ensure that their common denominator of furthering peace and security, along with robust connectivity, is realised in all seriousness.

This is why their bilateralism is rightly termed as &quot;time-tested and unbreakable&quot; as they venture into new horizons of cooperation in counterterrorism, broader regional stability and geo-economic amalgamation. Likewise, their commonality of approach in defence and foreign affairs makes them &#39;all-weather&#39; tactical allies, providing the necessary impetus to stand fast against extraterritorial manoeuvring and expansionist hegemonic designs from regional irritants.

The diamond anniversary of the Sino-Pak relations was marked with a special session of parliament and an extraordinary elite event in the federal capital. It was rightly pointed out that from power plants and dams that illuminate and energise our nation to the unwavering support extended during moments of hardship, such as the four-day war with India that changed the power circumference in Pakistan&#39;s favour for all times to come, the Chinese system support serves as the catalyst. That understanding is in need of being buoyed, and Pakistan&#39;s policy of steadfastness with Beijing, irrespective of realpolitik changes, is a sign of sincerity.

As noted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while speaking at a separate event marking the anniversary milestone, &quot;through mutual efforts, sincerity of purpose and shared commitment&quot;, the two friends &quot;have built a relationship which is second to none and truly unique in the world&quot;. There is no doubt that China has always stood by Pakistan &quot;like a solid rock&quot; during difficult times, including earthquakes and floods as well as economic and strategic challenges, and its support for Pakistan is unmatched in the history of relationships between the two countries.

Pakistan, meanwhile, is home to China&#39;s multibillion-dollar developmental project, CPEC, whose second phase is now commissioning into industrialisation, after the first phase of the gigantic project had laid down a cobweb of logistics and power infrastructure.

The growing student apprenticeship in the realms of agriculture and engineering is writing new chapters in realising modernity, with technological transfer being an ingredient of a long-term integration synthesis.

Last but not least, both countries have a similar perspective on the region and are sceptical of power blocs on the lines of militarisation, and this is something that brings them closer for renewed vitality in diplomacy, international law and economics.

As the friendship between the two sides moves towards its eighth decade &ndash; and thus pretty mature and settled &ndash; there are several areas that must be marked for furthering unanimity. The prime among them is greater people-to-people coordination, and easing of the visa regime, along with a thrust on tourism. A host of forums for dialogue that exist must re-synergise their notes to ensure more inclusivity in both geopolitics and economics.]]>
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			<title>Additional taxes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609382/additional-taxes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609382/additional-taxes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 26 19:46:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh province is set to take an extra burden of generating Rs200 billion in the new fiscal year. As per the IMF dictates, an additional revenue of Rs400 billion has to be generated by the four provinces. Punjab has to contribute Rs175 billion, K-P Rs45 billion and Balochistan Rs20 billion. This disparity stems from differences in their tax bases. Sindh is especially under the scanner as it houses Karachi, the country&#39;s financial capital. The provinces are likely to further tap the realms of services and real estate sectors, apart from agriculture that has been widely off the hook.

The federal government at the same time is under an obligation to generate Rs700 billion to achieve the Rs1.1 trillion target in additional taxation. To what extent the provinces will be successful in meeting their tax target &ndash; which equals 0.3% of GDP &ndash; is anybody&#39;s guess. The federating units were seen struggling to implement agri tax despite repeated commitments in yesteryears. Agriculture has an effective tax rate of just 0.3% despite having a 24.6% share in the economy. Revenue generation in this sector has remained below expectations due to implementation delays and enforcement challenges &ndash; perhaps due to feudal grip over the statecraft.

The federation&#39;s biggest chunk of revenue comes from petroleum levy as the next year&#39;s target has been set at Rs1.73 trillion. This has not only compounded the growth equation as higher energy prices have stalled competitive production and given rise to inflation, which is now comfortably in double digits. This year the Centre will squeeze out an additional Rs259 billion under petroleum levy, sending the already unmanageable cost of living even higher.

Major taxations, likewise, come from GST on services, wherein the provinces have done an efficient job. Last but not least, the salaried class contributes a staggering Rs500 billion to the exchequer. In contrast, the profit-wielding real estate pools in a mere Rs68 billion, followed by retailers at Rs33 billon and wholesalers at Rs22 billion. This disparity and partisanship is in need of being addressed as we go on to broaden the tax base on rational lines.]]>
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			<title>Illegal kidney trade</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609383/illegal-kidney-trade</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609383/illegal-kidney-trade#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 26 19:46:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The illegal organ trade continues to create problems in the country, as a combination of financial desperation among victim &#39;donors&#39; and the greed of recipients and the doctors performing the procedures. The recent raid on a prominent private hospital in Islamabad, where the FIA arrested nine people, including a &quot;well-known urologist&quot;, exposes how widespread the organ trafficking remains. Despite sporadic raids and arrests, far too many people are losing their kidneys to the illegal trade, sometimes without their knowledge and consent. It is a textbook example of forcing the poorest citizens to act as spare parts for the rich.

The network busted in Islamabad allegedly lured victims from the impoverished southern Punjab districts of Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan, exploiting their desperation for paltry sums before selling their kidneys for millions. Making the situation even more horrifying is the fact that the level of exploitation is often much worse - at least these people were paid something. Earlier this year, a labourer was kidnapped in Rawalpindi, so that his kidney could be stolen and sold for transplantation to a wealthy foreign patient. That gang ran a sophisticated operation that offered &quot;packages&quot; to clients, mostly from the Middle East, that blended airport pickups and five-star hotel stays with backroom surgeries in residential basements. Then there are hundreds of cases at brick kilns, where the state continues to turn a blind eye to bonded labour and the abuses these virtual slaves face. Kiln workers are offered large sums to pay down their &#39;debts&#39; in exchange for the vital organ, but are then underpaid and, due to the time it takes to heal, often end up where they started, with the kiln owner pocketing most of the money.

We have the laws on the books. What we need is stronger enforcement and prosecution, including going after people who pay for organs, which is already illegal in almost every country in the world. Long term, however, the cure for this problem will be poverty eradication.]]>
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			<title>Climate vulnerability</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609384/climate-vulnerability-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609384/climate-vulnerability-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 26 19:46:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s climate crisis is no longer a distant environmental concern waiting on the horizon. It is a present economic emergency steadily tightening its grip on national development. A sobering assessment in the latest SBP half-yearly report has once again underlined what scientists, economists and policymakers have been warning for years. Pakistan is paying a disproportionately high price for a global problem it did little to create.

According to the SBP&#39;s findings, climatic disasters in Pakistan between 2000 and 2024 exceeded both global and regional averages, a troubling continuation of trends visible in the preceding two decades as well. Pakistan now stands among the countries most vulnerable to climate shocks. The injustice is that nations that built prosperity on carbon-intensive development continue to account for the overwhelming majority of emissions, while countries like Pakistan absorb the consequences through floods, droughts, heatwaves and collapsing livelihoods. The challenge confronting Pakistan strikes at the heart of economic survival. The country must grow its economy and lift millions out of poverty while simultaneously reducing emission intensity. Economic expansion built on conventional energy pathways risks worsening Pakistan&#39;s carbon footprint, yet abandoning growth is not an option for a country grappling with demographic pressures and structural economic weaknesses. Long-term projection estimates cited from the World Bank suggest Pakistan&#39;s GDP could shrink by 4.5-6.5% by 2050 even under relatively optimistic climate scenarios.

Agriculture and industry - two pillars of Pakistan&#39;s economy - remain especially exposed. Without meaningful intervention, output from these sectors could decline by as much as 17% by mid-century. The warning signs continue to accumulate. Yet vulnerability cannot become an excuse for inertia. Pakistan&#39;s own emissions profile demands introspection. Climate resilience must become central to economic planning rather than remaining confined to environmental policy documents.]]>
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			<title>FIA misconduct</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609214/fia-misconduct</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2609214/fia-misconduct#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 20 May 26 19:42:29 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[FIA's inquiry into the Sarafa Bazaar raid must go beyond punishment]]>
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				<![CDATA[Those tasked with upholding the law cannot be seen violating it. This is not a complicated principle. It does not require legal training to grasp, nor institutional wisdom to apply. And yet FIA&#39;s operation at Karachi&#39;s Sarafa Bazaar on May 15 during which officials raided a jewellery shop and manhandled, even slapped, the owner in front of his young son has become the latest reminder that Pakistan&#39;s law enforcement machinery continues to struggle with the most basic obligation of professional conduct. Whatever silver smuggling the raid was meant to uncover, what the public saw were allegations of excessive force and abuse of authority by officials who arrived with the power of the state behind them.

That the FIA has since suspended one officer, transferred another and initiated a departmental inquiry suggests the institution understands something went wrong. It does not yet suggest the institution understands why this keeps happening. What almost never follows is a serious reckoning with the institutional culture that makes such incidents not just possible but recurring. Public trust in law enforcement determines whether communities see enforcement agencies as protectors or predators. Pakistan already carries a significant deficit on this count. The FIA has stated that abuse of authority will not be tolerated under any circumstances. We have heard variations of that sentence before. The statement is not wrong. It is simply insufficient on its own.

What is needed from the inquiry into this incident is not a verdict, but a willingness to examine the institutional culture that shapes how officials conduct themselves in the field. If the FIA is serious about the words it put on record, it will treat this episode as a diagnostic rather than a crisis to be managed. Professionalism in law enforcement is not measured by whether officers, in the exercise of considerable power, remember that the law they enforce also applies to them.]]>
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