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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>Killer Karachi roads</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638300/killer-karachi-roads</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638300/killer-karachi-roads#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 26 20:17:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[While measures such as the Sindh government's daytime ban exist, they are not properly enforced]]>
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				<![CDATA[The authorities continue to fail as yet another heavy vehicle barrelling down Karachi&#39;s roads claims a precious life. Forty-five-year-old Faiza, who was pregnant, was riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by her husband, Fahim (55), when a speeding trailer hit them in Liaquatabad. Faiza succumbed to her injuries, and with her, her unborn child was also lost. Fahim remains under treatment for his injuries.

The ill-fated Faiza is not the first casualty of what has now become a hit-and-run culture in Karachi - driven by a host of factors, namely untrained drivers, excessive speeding, poor fleet maintenance, and, most critically, a total lack of regulatory oversight. Tragically, she will not be the last unless this fatal tendency to speed is acknowledged as a societal malady.

These heart-wrenching losses are part of a much wider, systemic crisis, as demonstrated by the staggering casualty numbers. In August 2025, a speeding dumper truck struck a motorcycle, killing siblings Mahnoor and Ahmed, while leaving their father critically injured. Another young man lost his life in December 2025 when a truck crashed into his motorcycle on the National Highway. Similarly, in January 2026, two seven-year-old boys were crushed to death in separate incidents &ndash; one by a water tanker and the other by a truck. It has been estimated that heavy vehicles claimed 147 lives in Karachi during the first six months of 2026.

While measures such as the Sindh government&#39;s daytime ban exist, they are not properly enforced. There must be rigid liability measures in place, such as revising Section 320 of the Pakistan Penal Code to make &quot;causing death by rash or negligent driving&quot; a non-bailable offence, which would compel drivers to be more vigilant. Additionally, installing GPS trackers and dashcams in commercial trucks would allow regulators to monitor speed and operating hours effectively. The daytime ban must also be strictly enforced through regular checks and increased police patrolling to prevent future violations.

Our roads must not become death traps. Enough lives have been lost. The carnage must stop now.]]>
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			<title>Police brutality</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638299/police-brutality-5</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638299/police-brutality-5#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 26 20:17:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Article 14 of the Constitution expressly prohibits torture for extracting evidence]]>
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				<![CDATA[The use of excessive force by police personnel remains a serious concern in Pakistan, where allegations of torture and abuse of authority continue to surface despite laws prohibiting such practices. The custodial death of Akmal Ali Khan, allegedly following an assault by policemen at a check-post in Taxila, calls for immediate accountability. The victim was reportedly beaten following a minor roadside dispute and later declared dead at a hospital. Three police personnel have been booked for murder. Such incidents are grave and must be investigated impartially, with those found responsible subjected to the full force of the law.

The persistence of police brutality reflects serious shortcomings in the country&#39;s law enforcement system. The police have long operated within a culture that tolerates coercion and intimidation, particularly when dealing with ordinary citizens who lack the means to challenge abuses of authority. Torture is frequently employed as a method of investigation or punishment, while officers accused of misconduct often escape criminal accountability. This has contributed to public distrust of the police and weakened the institution&#39;s ability to perform its fundamental duty of maintaining law and order.

Article 14 of the Constitution expressly prohibits torture for extracting evidence, while the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022, provides a legal framework for prosecuting such offences. However, the implementation of these protections remains inadequate. FIA, which is empowered to investigate torture and custodial death cases, must be provided with the institutional independence necessary to fulfil its mandate. Investigations must be transparent and proceedings must be concluded without unnecessary delays. Departmental suspensions and transfers cannot be permitted to replace criminal prosecution. There is also an urgent need to strengthen the police system through comprehensive institutional reforms.]]>
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			<title>War madness</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638298/war-madness</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638298/war-madness#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 26 20:17:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Encouraging sign, nonetheless, is that Qatari and Pakistani interlocutors are being heard in Tehran and Washington]]>
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				<![CDATA[There is widespread war hysteria despite credible diplomatic maneuvering in the Middle East. The fear of the unknown stems from an impulsive American President, whose Republican party is performing poorly in midterm exit polls. Consequently, it is widely forecast that a new attack on Iran is being planned to distract from domestic political struggles. There are also reports that the Israeli Prime Minister is persuading the White House incumbent to launch &quot;tactical nuclear strikes&quot; against Iran, which remains unrelenting in its refusal to compromise over its enriched uranium. The war criminal has been pushing hard for this barbaric option for quite some time.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, however, categorically stated yesterday that his country &quot;will not transfer its enriched uranium to a third country&quot;, just as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi once again laid down his preconditions for a thaw. These conditions included lifting the new sanctions imposed after the Islamabad MoU, scaling back the US military presence in the region, and ending the blockade at the mouth of the Arabian Sea.

The encouraging sign, nonetheless, is that Qatari and Pakistani interlocutors are being heard in Tehran and Washington. Araghchi has confirmed that a proposal is currently under discussion through Qatari and Pakistani mediators. This proposal is primarily based on Iran&#39;s original seven-day plan, which promises the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz &quot;on the sixth day&quot; if Iran&#39;s conditions are met. This is a welcome development that coincides with Vice President Vance&#39;s eagerness to open new vistas of dialogue with the Islamic Republic.

With a follow-up meeting expected between the warring sides and the mediators, the rising volatility could certainly be tamed. Saudi Arabia, having put three of its cities on high alert, is keeping its fingers crossed as the Houthis continue to push things over the brink. Likewise, the UAE foresees wider destruction if the region returns to war. This uncertainty can only be addressed if dialogue is recognised as the sole option. Let serenity triumph over insanity.]]>
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			<title>The Afghan mess</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638135/the-afghan-mess</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638135/the-afghan-mess#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 26 19:47:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Afghan Taliban&#39;s tendency to blame Pakistan for deteriorating bilateral relations is nothing but an excuse to hide behind political exigency. The fact is that the reclusive regime in Kabul is squarely responsible for looking the other way as terror groups operate with impunity from Afghan soil. This complicity has been documented by the UN and various human rights bodies, which have called upon the militia to act with the decency expected of a sovereign state by shunning radicalism. Thus, the allegations repeated by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid - claiming that Islamabad&#39;s &quot;wrong policies&quot; prevent a resolution to the conflict - amount to nothing more than sham politics.

For decades, Pakistan has stood at the vanguard of combating terrorism both at home and abroad. It has consistently engaged in every major dialogue process with the Taliban since their return to power in August 2021, driven by the hope that Kabul would commit to normalising bilateral relations. It is deeply concerning, however, that the Taliban regime routinely views non-state actors through a highly politicised lens, choosing to treat them as indispensable allies of the past. This misplaced loyalty lies at the heart of the current friction, providing a free pass to groups like Al-Qaeda, ISKP and TTP to operate with total impunity and launch deadly, cross-border operations.

Islamabad was entirely justified in reminding Kabul that &quot;shifting blame, making hollow assurances, and questioning Pakistan&#39;s policies will neither resolve the crisis nor absolve Kabul of its responsibilities.&quot; The need of the hour is to view security through a shared prism of regionalism. This demands that Kabul halt cross-border provocations against Pakistani check-posts, cease deploying drones, and stop allowing terror cells to launch deadly rampages across the border. Meanwhile, the assertion by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Washington will evaluate the situation and intervene is too little, too late. The region is still reeling from the hasty, chaotic withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan, an exit that left behind billions of dollars in military hardware and a shattered civil edifice.]]>
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			<title>Fields of smoke</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638136/fields-of-smoke</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638136/fields-of-smoke#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 26 19:47:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Punjab&#39;s annual battle against smog cannot be won through fines or emergency measures alone. Every winter, the province finds itself confronting the same public health crisis with deteriorating air quality. Yet the persistence of crop-residue burning suggests that the authorities have failed to address one of the major contributors to this recurring emergency.

The latest satellite findings indicate that agricultural fires in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab now considerably outnumber those across the border in India, despite years of official campaigns against the practice. According to an environmental monitoring platform HamariHawa, Nasa satellites detected 13,241 fire spots in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab between October 1 and 29, compared with 3,158 in Indian Punjab. An estimated 92% of these detections were on farmland, suggesting widespread crop burning. These figures demand serious reflection on the measures and policies that have been adopted, particularly when the neighbouring province has demonstrated that substantial reductions are possible. The Punjab government has deployed 67 Quick Response Units but the detection of thousands of fires within a matter of days raises questions about the effectiveness of these arrangements. The underlying problem is that crop burning remains an economically convenient option. Many cannot afford specialised machinery, while others lack access to equipment capable of managing agricultural residue efficiently. The government must recognise that punitive measures, however necessary, cannot succeed without practical alternatives.

There is also an urgent need to improve transparency and accountability. Satellite monitoring should be accompanied by district-wise reporting that allows the public to assess whether enforcement measures are producing results. Authorities should identify persistent hotspots and investigate why burning continues in these areas. Without reliable public data, government&#39;s claims of progress will remain difficult to substantiate.]]>
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			<title>Renewed hopes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638137/renewed-hopes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2638137/renewed-hopes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 26 19:47:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s thrilling triumph in the ODI tri-series, also featuring heavyweight England and promising Sri Lanka, is a major turning point. The victory in the final fight against Sri Lankans at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore over the weekend marks the team&#39;s first tri-series title since 2008. For a cricket-loving nation desperate for consistent wins, this trophy brings more than just silverware - it brings real hope for a bright future. The historic win was built on a perfect mix of exciting young players and experienced veterans, proving that Pakistan is finally learning how to win consistently on the world stage.

The best part of this tournament was the rise of fresh talent. New batters like Hassan Nawaz, Saad Baig and Maaz Sadaqat played without fear, while all-rounder Arafat Minhas brought great energy to the squad. These young players proved they can handle pressure when it matters most. Alongside steady performances from Salman Ali Agha, this group of youngsters gives Pakistan the team balance and depth it has lacked for a very long time.

At the same time, Pakistan&#39;s world-class stars stood strong. The fast-bowling trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah worked together perfectly to destroy opposition batting lineups. Even leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who has most sat on the bench during the tournament, stepped up to save the team in a league match, hitting an incredible century to win a seemingly lost game. His stunning performance proves his immense value with the bat and highlights just how strong and promising Pakistan&#39;s bench depth has become.

The final match, meanwhile, belonged to veteran Fakhar Zaman. Chasing a challenging target of 326 runs, the left-handed batter scored a brilliant century &ndash; 127 off 99 balls studded with 11 fours and 6 sixes - which made the impossible chase look easy. This tournament shows that when Pakistan&#39;s experienced stars lead the way and the youth play freely, the team can beat anyone. This victory should not be a one-time celebration, but the start of a dominant new era.]]>
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			<title>NUST's triumph</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637965/nusts-triumph</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637965/nusts-triumph#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 26 19:48:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[45 researchers from NUST ranked in world's top 2% of scientists]]>
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				<![CDATA[The announcement that 45 researchers from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) have been ranked among the world&#39;s top 2% of scientists is a moment of genuine national pride. Data compiled by the prestigious Stanford University and academic publishing giant Elsevier places NUST and its faculty among the world&#39;s finest, crediting their work with advancing knowledge across disciplines. In a country where education-related headlines are usually limited to lacklustre education standards and dilapidated buildings, this is a reminder of what Pakistan can achieve when merit, investment and institutional vision align.

The achievement reflects decades of hard work. NUST&#39;s representation in the prestigious list has grown from 23 researchers in 2022 to 31 in 2023, 43 in 2024, and 47 in 2025. Although the number fell to 45 in 2026, it includes 16 scholars who have appeared consistently over successive years, which should be taken as proof of durable scholarly impact rather than fleeting recognition. It is also worth noting that the researchers&#39; areas of expertise span AI, nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, cyber security, materials science and fluid mechanics, which is a breadth of expertise that any world-class university would envy.

In fact, they are a major reason why NUST itself is now a member of the world&#39;s elite - the university currently ranks 384th in the QS World University Rankings, was third in South Asia in last year&#39;s Asia ranking, and had more citations per paper than several universities ranked higher than it in both scales. If properly leveraged, these statistics could also be critical in making the university in particular, and Pakistan&#39;s academic sector in general, more attractive for foreign investment and collaboration.

At the same time, there is no doubt that there is room for improvement - being the best in Pakistan is akin to being the big fish in a small pond. If NUST&#39;s administration and faculty keep up the good work, the university could one day be one of the biggest fish in the ocean.]]>
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			<title>Our hepatitis crisis</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637964/our-hepatitis-crisis</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637964/our-hepatitis-crisis#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 26 19:48:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[9m people live with hepatitis C, 48,000 people die annually from hepatitis-related complications]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s growing hepatitis C burden has become a damning indictment of its public healthcare system. Figures recently presented by the Ministry of National Health Services to the National Assembly reveal that an estimated nine million people are living with hepatitis C, placing Pakistan at the top of the global list. fdre5. It is therefore clear that the country is confronting a public health crisis that can no longer be allowed to worsen.

Pakistan&#39;s predicament is especially alarming as the disease continues to spread through largely avoidable practices. Unsafe injections and the reuse of contaminated syringes remain major transmission risks. The proliferation of unregulated clinics and poorly supervised healthcare facilities compounds the danger. What makes this crisis particularly unacceptable is the availability of highly effective treatment. Modern antiviral medicines can cure more than 95% of hepatitis C infections, often within eight to twelve weeks. However, access to early diagnosis and treatment remains limited, particularly among low-income communities and rural populations. The infection can remain asymptomatic for years, allowing it to progress undetected until irreversible liver damage has occurred.

The government&#39;s commitment to eliminating hepatitis C by 2030 must therefore translate into a coordinated national response rather than another ambitious declaration. The PM&#39;s Hepatitis Control Programme provides an existing framework, but its effectiveness depends heavily on implementation at the provincial and district levels. Health authorities must enforce strict sterilisation protocols and eliminate syringe reuse and strengthen the regulation of blood banks and private healthcare establishments.

With the 2030 elimination deadline approaching, the country has little time to squander. The tragedy is that a curable disease continues to claim thousands of lives because the healthcare system has failed to prevent its spread.]]>
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			<title>Destination Singapore</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637963/destination-singapore</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637963/destination-singapore#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 26 19:48:13 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Singapore's leadership could help elevate Pakistan to a full dialogue partner in the ASEAN]]>
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				<![CDATA[Looking toward the East has always been a key strategy for Pakistan to enrich its economic base. The tremendous success achieved by ASEAN member states in less than two decades of proactive engagement is a landmark achievement. Singapore, in particular, stands out as a prime example of self-reliance. The city-state has scaled the heights of success through political stability, economic diversification and an unwavering reliance on entrepreneurship. Pakistan is right to resolve once again to benefit from Singapore&#39;s success story by broadening economic partnerships and tapping new avenues in higher education, technology and banking.

The recent visit of Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Islamabad coincided with the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. The fact that this is the first high-profile visit since 2005 hints at a collective oversight. Yet, it is never too late; the visit offers a vital opportunity to synchronise priorities and share experiences in governance. Ranked 1st in the 2026 Index of Economic Freedom with a score of 84.4, Singapore operates one of the world&#39;s most competitive economies. It is time for Pakistan to move past rhetoric and learn from the city-state, which is set to assume the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2027.

While Pakistan has been a Sectoral Dialogue Partner in the league since 1993, Singapore&#39;s leadership could help elevate it to a full dialogue partner. Likewise, bilateral trade of approximately $1.2 billion falls well below potential and requires professional hands to undo past policy stagnation. Furthermore, the suspension of PIA and Singapore Airlines&#39; operations since 2007 and 2010, respectively, continues to dent tourism, trade and regional interactivity.

While Balakrishnan expressed interest in learning from Pakistan&#39;s disaster management experiences, Islamabad can benefit heavily from Singapore&#39;s expertise in AI, IT and banking. Crucially, Singapore&#39;s strides in building the world&#39;s safest and cleanest city offer invaluable blueprints for a country navigating rapid urban population growth and security challenges.]]>
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			<title>Innovation against the odds</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637822/innovation-against-the-odds</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637822/innovation-against-the-odds#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 26 19:14:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Output strength cannot indefinitely compensate for input neglect]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s commendable position in a recent ranking of innovation outputs is a quiet but telling illustration of the country&#39;s potential. Pakistan rose to 95th in the Global Innovation Index 2026, regaining &quot;overperformer&quot; status in the World Intellectual Property Rights Organisation&#39;s ranking of 139 economies. While the number may not seem high, it is a relative grade, illustrating how Pakistan generates far more innovation than its meagre inputs - we were 121st in innovation inputs, but 72nd in outputs.

That gap is a tribute to the talent, hustle and resourcefulness of Pakistani inventors and entrepreneurs. The strengths are also concrete and market-driven. Pakistan ranks 10th globally in mobile-app creation relative to GDP, 15th in ICT services exports and 19th in high-tech imports. Each of these numbers reflects a generation that has managed to do well despite creaky infrastructure, patchy policy and limited state support. At the same time, it also shows why local talent wants to leave - they are too good for what Pakistan has to offer them.

After all, the same Innovation Index also places Pakistan near the bottom on human capital, research and infrastructure. R&amp;D spending is just 0.16% of GDP, patent filings lag badly, and startup funding - which was already miserly by international standards - has crashed. For the government, the &quot;overperformer&quot; label should be seen as an insult, not an achievement. Output strength cannot indefinitely compensate for input neglect. Pakistani innovators deserve more. The state must be willing to meet them halfway, either by directly funding more research or creating the conditions for investors to come in. Investment-related laws also need work to ensure that they are no longer avenues for shady lending, but do encourage honest, calculated risk-taking. Only then will Pakistan&#39;s innovators be able to achieve more, while also reflecting well on what their country did for them.]]>
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			<title>Healthcare for all</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637823/healthcare-for-all</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637823/healthcare-for-all#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 26 19:14:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[The reality is that healthcare in Pakistan has increasingly become a privilege rather than a fundamental right]]>
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				<![CDATA[The revival of the Pakistan-China Friendship Hospital in Islamabad under a public-private partnership is a welcome development, particularly at a time when affordable medical treatment remains beyond the reach of millions of Pakistanis. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&#39;s announcement that the government will bear the entire cost of treatment at the 182-bed facility, to be managed by the Indus Hospital and Health Network, offers a much-needed example of how public resources can be utilised for the welfare of ordinary citizens. Yet, while such partnerships deserve appreciation, they also expose the sorry state of Pakistan&#39;s healthcare system, which remains in complete disarray.

The reality is that healthcare in Pakistan has increasingly become a privilege rather than a fundamental right. Public hospitals are overwhelmed by patients, understaffed and frequently deprived of essential medicines and functioning equipment. Those who cannot secure timely treatment at government facilities are left at the mercy of private hospitals, where treatment can cost more than an ordinary household earns in several months. For countless families, a serious illness means exhausting their savings or selling whatever assets they possess. Many are compelled to delay treatment until their condition becomes critical, while others simply surrender to illnesses that could have been treated had they possessed the financial means.

The government&#39;s partnership with the Indus Hospital and Health Network demonstrates that quality treatment can be provided without charging patients. However, the provision of free healthcare cannot remain confined to a handful of institutions or depend indefinitely on charitable organisations and private management. It must become the guiding principle of national health policy. No individual should be denied treatment because of an inability to pay, nor should a family&#39;s financial circumstances determine whether a patient lives or dies.]]>
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			<title>Deadlock and diplomacy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637821/deadlock-and-diplomacy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637821/deadlock-and-diplomacy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 26 19:14:51 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[The least desired at this critical juncture is a misadventure from Israel, or the Houthis going over the brink]]>
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				<![CDATA[With the Middle East on tenterhooks anticipating a new round of US-Israeli strikes on Iran, President Trump has further compounded the equation through his ambiguous stance on a plausible diplomatic initiative in the region. A battered White House incumbent, apparently staring down a projected defeat in the midterm polls, once again raised the stakes by expressing hope that the war with Iran would end soon - though he did not say how. He did, however, voice optimism that the Islamic Republic would not cross the nuclear threshold, hinting at behind-the-scenes maneuvering as Doha diplomats returned to Tehran with a message from Washington.

The diplomatic push got a shot in the arm as Vice President JD Vance also sent a letter to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei, in an earnest endeavour to revive stalled negotiations. Though Tehran is yet to respond officially, it issued a diplomatic rejoinder at the UNSC, where its representative, Gholamhossein Darzi, condemned the US and Israel for their military aggression. Darzi blamed the duo for an illegal naval blockade, terming it the root cause of maritime insecurity in the Persian Gulf.

This indicates that Iran is unwilling to climb down from its stated position. It wants the US to respect the salient features of the conditional ceasefire deal attained under the Islamabad MoU, and return to the table in all sincerity. Likewise, undoing sanctions and releasing frozen Iranian assets remain key leverage for normalising navigational routes across the Strait of Hormuz.

The question is, how can this stalemate be overcome so that the warring sides can begin to see light at the end of the tunnel? That is only possible if both the US and Iran stop playing to the gallery for domestic consumption and respect the hectic mediation efforts led by Pakistan, T&uuml;rkiye, Egypt and Qatar. The least desired at this critical juncture is a misadventure from Israel, or the Houthis going over the brink. Iran&#39;s inability to tame the Yemeni-Shia militia and, likewise, Trump&#39;s appeasement of Netanyahu are dangerous signs of brinkmanship.]]>
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			<title>Water governance crisis</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637637/water-governance-crisis</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637637/water-governance-crisis#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 26 19:44:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial.]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2637637</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh's water problems are usually framed as scarcity caused by upstream issues]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh&#39;s water problems are usually framed as scarcity caused by upstream issues - too little snowmelt, too little rainfall, or too little water released downstream. However, some criticis have noted that this line of argument conveniently absolves the Sindh government of fault in the problem - snowmelt and rainfall are climate change effects, and water release and upstream consumption fall on the federal and Punjab governments. A new study by the FAO agrees with the critics, noting that while the province is short of water, the reasons are far more complex, and even basic things like accurate data are hard to come by. Meanwhile, modern water management rules are a far cry.

The FAO&#39;s &quot;Water and Land Accounting in Sindh&quot; report also paints a system that is desperate for meaningful upgrades and reforms. Canal operations, for example, still assume a single-use, gravity-fed irrigation network, yet urban supply lines, local dams, lakes and pumping stations are integral to the system. None of these additions are properly reflected in allocation or monitoring systems. Worse still, the Crop Reporting Service&#39;s irrigated-area estimates do not even align with the irrigation department&#39;s canal command areas, leaving policymakers to plan based on wildly inaccurate numbers. When data is this unreliable, scarcity is quietly compounded by misallocation.

The consequences are visible on the ground. Tail-end farmers watch water disappear into seepage and unauthorised diversions before it reaches their fields. Sindh&#39;s barrages have recently recorded shortages of 43% at Guddu, 44% at Sukkur and 62% at Kotri, while growers accuse the irrigation bureaucracy of corruption and inefficiency. Per capita water availability has fallen to just 1,169 cubic metres in Sindh, edging the province closer to absolute scarcity.

But reforms and infrastructure development are not the only needs of the hour. Until water data collection is improved and accountability in resource management becomes standardised, supply problems will continue getting worse for tail-end users, while powerful interests will continue to profit from disorder.]]>
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			<title>Cylinders of death</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637636/cylinders-of-death</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637636/cylinders-of-death#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 26 19:44:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Cylinder explosions have become a disturbingly familiar occurrence across Pakistan]]>
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				<![CDATA[Cylinder explosions have become a disturbingly familiar occurrence across Pakistan. The latest tragedy occurred in Tharparkar where nine people perished after an oxygen cylinder reportedly exploded inside an ambulance. That a vehicle meant to save lives could itself become an instrument of death speaks volumes about the disregard for basic safety standards. The incident is particularly distressing because those seeking emergency medical care should never have to fear the very equipment intended to keep them alive.

The recurring incidence of cylinder explosions points towards a wider failure of regulation and enforcement. Substandard equipment and unsafe handling practices continue to pose serious threats. Whether cylinders contain LPG for domestic and commercial consumption or oxygen for medical purposes, the risks associated with pressurised gases demand rigorous safety precautions. Yet inspections are often inadequate and compliance remains questionable. The government&#39;s response cannot remain confined to inquiries and expressions of grief. What is needed is a comprehensive enforcement mechanism covering cylinder manufacturers, suppliers and operators, alongside mandatory periodic testing and the removal of defective equipment from circulation. Healthcare authorities must immediately examine the safety of oxygen cylinders installed in ambulances and hospitals. Responsibility must also be fixed on institutions that fail to maintain prescribed standards. Without meaningful penalties and sustained oversight, safety regulations will remain little more than paperwork.

Pakistan cannot continue to normalise preventable deaths arising from elementary safety failures. Each explosion exposes the consequences of regulatory complacency, yet the lessons seldom translate into lasting corrective measures. The loss of nine lives in an ambulance should finally compel the authorities to confront this negligence. Inspections conducted only after fatalities serve little purpose if the same hazardous practices are allowed to continue unchecked.]]>
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			<title>Knesset for a toss</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637635/knesset-for-a-toss</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637635/knesset-for-a-toss#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 26 19:44:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2637635</guid>
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				<![CDATA[A deeply divided Israel might see Benjamin Netanyahu stay on as Prime Minister]]>
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				<![CDATA[A deeply divided Israel might see Benjamin Netanyahu stay on as Prime Minister. The October 27 ballot has returned a hung parliament with neither the Likud-led bloc nor the opposition alliance led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot securing a simple majority. The composition of the 120-seat Knesset is yet to be finalised and for the first time Arab voters, who hold sway over 19 constituencies, could be the arbiter in forming the next government. This silent 20% Israeli-Arab population has a significant role to play, and it is widely believed that they will uphold the status quo. The elections, marred by widespread irregularities and allegations of foreign funding, have turned the security-state&#39;s profile into the kind of bickering and instability often associated with developing countries.

President Trump, likewise, was seen as a cardinal player at the polls as he openly endorsed the candidature of war-criminal Netanyahu. He went to the extent of seeking a pardon for Netanyahu in his corruption trial, while also backing his aggressive policies that have undermined prospects for peace in the region and supporting military action against Iran. With Israel&#39;s domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, probing allegations of electoral irregularities and interference, the results are on tenterhooks. It is quite likely that failure to form a government may result in early elections next year, pushing the hawkish Bibi and Eisenkot to raise their public appeal for war-mongering. Playing the security card for political point-scoring has long been a familiar tactic.

With more than 75% of 5.6 million votes counted, the remaining half-million absentee ballots can hardly change the spectrum. These are from military personnel, diplomats, prisoners and the indisposed. The game-changing aspect could be a new US-Israeli onslaught over Iran in the coming days as Trump&#39;s Republicans are taking a beating in the US mid-term elections. This could become catastrophic for the region and push Israel once again into the clutches of the longest-serving prime minister who only believes in aggrandisement, aggression and arrogance. Israeli voters have surely missed a chance to elect a peace constituency.]]>
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			<title>Another deadline, same ordeal</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637456/another-deadline-same-ordeal</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637456/another-deadline-same-ordeal#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 26 19:50:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Another deadline has been announced for Karachi's long-suffering University Road]]>
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				<![CDATA[Another deadline has been announced for Karachi&#39;s long-suffering University Road, where the K-IV water augmentation project has become yet another example of administrative inefficiency and poor planning. The 2.7-kilometre pipeline installation between Nipa Chowrangi and Hassan Square, originally scheduled for completion in four months, has now been pushed to December 31.

For commuters who have endured years of disruption, the latest extension offers little reassurance. University Road has remained in a state of disrepair for nearly five years owing to the prolonged construction of the Red Line BRT corridor. The addition of K-IV pipeline works has compounded the misery, leaving motorists navigating narrowed roads and businesses suffering from restricted access. More concerning is the repeated damage to existing utility infrastructure, which has disrupted water supplies in surrounding residential areas. Why were these obstacles not adequately identified and addressed before excavation began? Utility mapping and interdepartmental coordination are fundamental requirements of infrastructure planning, not unforeseen complications that can indefinitely justify missed deadlines. Uncertainty caused as a result is particularly unacceptable when millions of residents are waiting for relief. The Sindh government must recognise these delays carry consequences far greater than contractual inconvenience.

The new deadline must therefore be accompanied by a credible execution schedule and clearly assigned responsibilities. Coordination between the water authorities, utility providers and Red Line contractors must be strengthened to prevent further excavation and disruption. More importantly, the government should investigate why earlier timelines proved unrealistic and hold those responsible for avoidable delays accountable. Karachi cannot continue to function as a permanent construction site where deadlines are revised without consequence. An undertaking as important as K-IV deserves urgency and timely execution. Its completion must become an administrative obligation.]]>
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			<title>Israel's impunity</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637455/israels-impunity</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637455/israels-impunity#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 26 19:50:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Yet another UN report has confirmed the genocide in Gaza shows no signs of abating]]>
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				<![CDATA[Yet another UN report has confirmed the genocide in Gaza shows no signs of abating, even though the Israeli government had agreed to a ceasefire several months ago. But while most of the Middle East recognises that Israeli government&#39;s word has no value under its current regime - which is also facing elections - the countries that can force Israel to stop have blankly refused to do so, in some cases even actively supporting the genocide.

This is why the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry&#39;s latest report is being called a searing indictment of a state that has placed itself above international law, and the world is letting it happen. The Commission concludes that Israel has committed genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza, including extermination, persecution, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence. It finds that Israeli authorities have demonstrated a &quot;consistent intent&quot; to establish permanent military control over Gaza and to change its demographic composition. The killing and harming of Palestinian children and sexual violence are identified as elements establishing specific intent to commit genocide.

But don&#39;t tell the Americans or the Germans because they have been playing defence for Israel for decades, refusing to take any steps that might accidentally cause them to look like countries that actually value human rights. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2024 for alleged war crimes, yet he still freely enters and leaves the US and other allied Western capitals. Human Rights Watch has documented Israeli-backed settler violence driving mass displacement, and Amnesty International has repeatedly warned of genocide and apartheid.

Israel unsurprisingly rejects these findings as &quot;propaganda&quot;. But in the face of overwhelming evidence, for the rest of the world, the legal conclusions are unambiguous. Every state that continues to arm, trade with and shield Israel is complicit in the slaughter.]]>
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			<title>Judicial transparency</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637454/judicial-transparency</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637454/judicial-transparency#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 26 19:50:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[The resignation of a former puisne judge of the Islamabad High Court has stirred a debate within judicial fraternity]]>
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				<![CDATA[The resignation of a former puisne judge of the Islamabad High Court has stirred a debate within the judicial fraternity. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani decided to lay down his robes and return to legal practice, citing personal reasons. However, he also penned a letter to the President of the Republic, stating that there were &quot;reasons of conscience&quot; behind his stepping down. Notably, this decision followed his recent, abrupt transfer to the Lahore High Court, where he lost his seniority and was placed 12th on the seniority list. The learned judge had always voiced his views independently and had frequently been in the eye of the storm for openly differing with the powers that be in the judicial corridors. Justice Kayani has the credit of deciding over 23,000 cases, and his superannuation was due in 2032.

The immediate trigger for his resignation appears to be his unexpected transfer to the Rawalpindi Bench, following a reshuffle at the High Court. However, the plot thickens as he made it a point to list his grievances against the hastily passed 26th and 27th constitutional amendments. Like many of his colleagues, he believes that these amendments have &quot;compromised the independence and institutional integrity of the high courts&quot;. He was referring to the executive&#39;s growing influence over the judicial process in the wake of new legislation, as well as instances of alleged meddling in the affairs of judicial institutions. The parliament and the executive now even have a say in the appointment and transfer of judges - a shift that many judges believe to be unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of judicial transparency. Justice Kayani, therefore, wrote that this development has &quot;eroded public confidence in judicial independence and the fairness of the judicial process&quot;.

The government and key stakeholders in the constitutional process must reflect and introspect on these critical observations. The need of the hour is to ensure that the organs of the state continue to function independently and that the transparency of the judiciary is preserved. The outgoing, independent-minded judge has left behind a valid point to ponder.]]>
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			<title>Widening climate gap</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637247/widening-climate-gap</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637247/widening-climate-gap#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 26 19:29:27 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Another year of climate commitments has yielded another disturbing record]]>
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				<![CDATA[Another year of climate commitments has yielded another disturbing record. Greenhouse gas concentrations reached unprecedented levels in 2025, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, reinforcing fears that global efforts to contain rising temperatures are falling dangerously short. Carbon dioxide concentrations have climbed to 426.8 parts per million, 53% above pre-industrial levels, while methane and nitrous oxide have registered similar highs. These figures represent an accumulation of heat-trapping gases whose consequences will be felt for generations. With the past 11 years already being the warmest on record, humanity is steadily exhausting its capacity to avert more severe climatic disruption.

Meanwhile, the UN Environment Programme has warned that existing policies could put the world on course for a temperature increase of 2.8 degrees Celsius this century. Such a trajectory would expose vulnerable populations to increasingly destructive weather patterns and place immense pressure on agricultural production and economic stability. For Pakistan, these warnings carry particular significance. Unpredictable weather conditions have exposed the country&#39;s vulnerability to climatic changes largely driven by emissions beyond its borders. Yet domestic preparedness remains inadequate, with climate adaptation frequently receiving attention only after disasters have struck. While Pakistan must strengthen its own environmental safeguards, the greater responsibility for reducing global emissions rests with major polluting economies. Climate financing and technological assistance must also move beyond diplomatic assurances towards accessible and sustained support for vulnerable countries.

The forthcoming COP31 summit in T&uuml;rkiye must therefore confront the widening distance between climate commitments and actual progress. Accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels and enforcing measurable emission reductions can no longer remain matters of indefinite negotiation. Every additional year of inaction increases the burden inherited by future generations.]]>
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			<title>Policy rate hike</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637246/policy-rate-hike-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637246/policy-rate-hike-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 26 19:29:27 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[SBP decision to hike benchmark policy rate by 50 basis points to 12% comes in a bid to insulate the domestic economy]]>
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				<![CDATA[The SBP&#39;s decision to hike its benchmark policy rate by 50 basis points to 12% comes in a bid to insulate the domestic economy from a widening Middle East war. With the geopolitical crisis stoking persistent energy price risks and disrupting critical global shipping routes, the central bank&#39;s intervention serves as a necessary preemptive shield. By tightening monetary policy, the SBP aims to safeguard macroeconomic stability and contain the dangerous ripple effects of imported fuel shocks before they permanently entrench themselves in the local market.

However, executing a contractionary monetary policy during a global crisis carries painful domestic tradeoffs. By deliberately raising the cost of borrowing to cool inflation, the SBP simultaneously drives up capital costs for a fragile industrial sector. With LSM showing early signs of life at 1.9% growth and private-sector credit expanding by 14.1%, the immediate effect of this rate hike may immediately dampen this investment momentum. Large manufacturers and capital-starved SMEs now face crippling credit constraints, threatening export competitiveness at a time when they are already reeling from soaring utility tariffs.

However, since Pakistan&#39;s inflation is deeply rooted - magnified by external energy vulnerabilities and domestic supply bottlenecks rather than excess domestic demand - a high interest rate alone is not a complete remedy. To prevent this tightening cycle from choking off industrial output, the federal government must urgently implement structural reforms. Monetary tightening must be paired with aggressive fiscal discipline, competitive energy tariffs and a broader tax base. Without these coordinated supply-side measures, using the policy rate to fight global war-induced inflation risks stabilising the currency at the cost of long-term economic growth.]]>
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			<title>Veto intransigence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637245/veto-intransigence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637245/veto-intransigence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 26 19:29:27 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has led from the front in calling for the abolition of this discriminatory prerogative]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s stance on opposing the excessive and arbitrary use of the veto power is based on the cardinal principle of ensuring justice and equality for all member states at international forums. Thus, the country has led from the front in calling for the abolition of this discriminatory prerogative exercised by the permanent members of the UN Security Council. It reiterated this demand yesterday during a General Assembly debate while warning that the misuse of the veto power undermines the Council&#39;s effectiveness and weakens the credibility of the UN, while also perpetuating sheer injustice within the international system.

Islamabad apparently views the lopsided and unregulated system currently in vogue as the root cause behind wars and rising economic disparity. The prime reason behind these fissures is the desire on the part of great powers to instil their own jaundiced political order in contravention of the norms of decency and civilisation. Pakistan, thus, called for either the abolition of the veto or, at a minimum, severely restricting its usage. It was, however, categorical in opposing any expansion of permanent members at the world body in general.

This perspective is seen by many as utopian in essence. The international order that rose from the ashes of WWII encourages powerful actors to look after their own interests at the expense of peace and justice. Likewise, it has widely obstructed collective action on international peace and security issues, leaving the UN appearing toothless as the exercise of veto power leads to unchecked wars and aggression. Last but not least, binding resolutions pertaining to the attainment of statehood and self-determination remain unimplemented.

Islamabad&#39;s prescription has substance, and the developing world must come forward to support it. UNGA Resolution 76/262, which provides for a General Assembly debate following the exercise of a veto to promote greater accountability, must be fully utilised to deter the unilateral and arbitrary exercise of this intransigent attitude. Only then can the UN become a truly responsible entity, protecting the interests of smaller states while ushering in peace and prosperity.]]>
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			<title>A national shame</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637063/a-national-shame-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637063/a-national-shame-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 26 19:34:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Network allegedly sold the abusive material internationally in exchange for cryptocurrency]]>
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				<![CDATA[The arrest of a father accused of producing and selling sexually explicit videos of his own young children is one of the most horrifying stories to hit the headlines in a long time. It is not just about the terrible crime itself, but also the societal failure that allows such abuse to occur. The investigation has extended to Islamabad and some of southern Punjab, including Multan, while the accused, who hails from Skardu, was reportedly arrested in Islamabad.

The network allegedly sold the abusive material internationally in exchange for cryptocurrency. And while investigators have described this as the first reported case in Pakistan involving a father producing and selling child abuse material featuring his own children, the circulation of such material remains a grave concern. According to Childlight&#39;s 2025 Into the Light report, Pakistan recorded 41.3 Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) reports or notices per 10,000 people in 2024 - a rate significantly higher than those recorded in India and Nepal. Sahil&#39;s Cruel Numbers 2025 report documented 3,630 reported cases of child abuse and related offences across the country. Given the stigma, shame and fear that discourage victims from coming forward, the true extent of child abuse is almost certainly greater than these reported figures suggest.

There are already laws on the books to prosecute these crimes. What is needed is properly funded enforcement and comprehensive support for victims, not just financially or physically, but also psychologically and emotionally. As for the perpetrators, child abuse does not just devastate individual lives but can inflict lasting damage on entire families. In a country where criminal penalties are sometimes called draconian, there should be little disagreement that those found guilty of such crimes must face the full force of the law.]]>
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			<title>Skewed food basket</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637062/skewed-food-basket</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637062/skewed-food-basket#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 26 19:34:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2637062</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan adopted national dietary guidelines in 2018]]>
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				<![CDATA[A recent assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organisation has uncovered a troubling imbalance in Pakistan&#39;s food supply, which has significant shortages of vegetables, fruits and pulses, while cereals and sugar exceed dietary requirements. The assessment also states that 60% of Pakistanis cannot afford a healthy diet. This reflects a fundamental failure of agricultural and food policies that have traditionally prioritised production volumes over nutritional requirements. The consequences are evident in the persistence of malnutrition and the growing incidence of diet-related diseases.

Pakistan adopted national dietary guidelines in 2018, yet little appears to have been done to align agricultural priorities with these recommendations. The widening supply gaps suggest that the country&#39;s food system is increasingly disconnected from the nutritional needs of its population. Excessive reliance on a limited range of crops has also restricted dietary diversity, particularly among low-income households that are compelled to prioritise affordability over nutrition. Rising food prices further aggravate this imbalance, placing essential dietary components beyond the purchasing power of millions. The problem, therefore, extends to the larger question of how food is produced, distributed and priced. Correcting this imbalance requires a fundamental reassessment of agricultural policy. Greater incentives must be provided for the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and pulses, alongside investments in market infrastructure to minimise post-harvest losses. Farmers should be encouraged to diversify production, while food distribution networks must be strengthened to ensure that nutritious produce reaches consumers at affordable prices. Nutrition must also become an integral consideration in agricultural planning rather than remain confined to public health campaigns.

With population growth expected to place additional pressure on food supplies, delaying reforms will only deepen existing nutritional inequalities. Pakistan needs a food policy that measures success not simply by how much is produced, but by how effectively it meets the dietary needs of its people.]]>
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			<title>Investing in education</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637061/investing-in-education</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2637061/investing-in-education#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 26 19:34:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Initiative, nonetheless, to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks among needy students on merit is a welcome move]]>
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				<![CDATA[Soaring poverty and slumping investment in education are closely linked. That is why social mobility is an uphill task for the country&#39;s 150 million youth, many of whom are deprived of quality education and avenues of employment. It is an enigma that a mere Rs117.75 billion has been allocated for education by the federal government out of a budget outlay of Rs18.77 trillion. Moreover, with education becoming a provincial subject since the 18th Amendment, not much progress has been made in making it a priority for public development. The result is that more than 26 million children are out of school, while only Rs46 billion has been allocated for higher education development projects.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&#39;s assertion that financial hardships must not prevent young people from pursuing education and developing their abilities seems to be no more than a political statement. The fact is that education is low on the list of national priorities, as only 0.8% of GDP was spent on education in FY2025, contrary to the internationally recommended minimum of 4%. It is no surprise that poverty is on the rise and more than one-third of the country&#39;s populace faces serious deprivations in the realms of healthcare, education and living standards. A World Bank report recently stated that Pakistan accounts for approximately 48% of people in the wider region living below the extreme poverty line of $3 a day. This, coupled with population growth and a large number of mouths to feed, affects children&#39;s ability to attend school.

The initiative, nonetheless, to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks among needy students on merit is a welcome move. The positive is that students from mainstream educational institutions and religious seminaries are eligible for the programme. However, such piecemeal measures will not address the pressing need for quality education. The government must work to ensure that universal primary education is available and that secondary education is ensured by the provinces as a legal obligation. Likewise, investing in vocational training and providing enough avenues of higher education on a par with international standards are indispensable measures. Enough of ribbon-cutting and photo-ops.]]>
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			<title>Kabul's denial</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636887/kabuls-denial</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636887/kabuls-denial#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 26 19:34:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Afghan Taliban appear increasingly unwilling to acknowledge ground realities. Their intransigent attitude towards Pakistan is pushing them to make unrealistic claims. One such claim from Taliban 2.0 was that they lacked the &quot;capabilities to fuel insecurity in other countries&quot;. Nothing could be more astonishing than this statement as it stands in contradiction to the modus operandi of the reclusive regime in Afghanistan. It is a proven fact that Kabul is patronising a horde of non-state actors, including the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, responsible for a spike in terrorism inside Pakistan. Likewise, IS-K and Al-Qaeda are fomenting terrorism in neighbouring countries by using Afghan soil with impunity.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has simply hoodwinked the public about these ground realities by saying that Pakistan&#39;s finger-pointing over terrorist incidents is meant for &quot;domestic distraction&quot;. It is also a flawed assessment from the Taliban spokesperson that &quot;it is not in his country&#39;s interest to create insecurity in Pakistan or to support any acts of instability there&quot;. The facts speak for themselves, and he would be better advised to refer to a host of reports from UN and other bodies, squarely blaming the Taliban for being behind the export of terrorism.

Islamabad has rightly rebutted such absurd claims from the Taliban leadership by citing the cross-border terrorism index of the UN Security Council&#39;s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team as well as a report from the US Congress. Likewise, the US Lead Inspector General&#39;s report on Operation Enduring Sentinel for JanuaryMarch 2026 stated that the Afghan Taliban continued to allow the banned TTP to operate from Afghan territory. That is why Pakistan was compelled to fly sorties over terrorist hideouts inside Afghanistan, after a complete lack of cooperation from Kabul to exterminate the terror nexus.

Kabul must get real and understand that its stunt is leading it into a quagmire. Millions of Afghans are malnourished and lack avenues of social mobility, as Kabul nurses a feel-good factor with the militants. The gun-toting militants are an existential threat to the regime as well as the peace and stability of the entire region. No point in living with ostrich syndrome.]]>
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			<title>Public act of violence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636888/public-act-of-violence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636888/public-act-of-violence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 26 19:34:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Scenes of a young woman being assaulted in broad daylight on Lahore&#39;s Mozang Link Road is a disturbing incident of lack of tolerance against women and an equally troubling indifference to violence in public spaces. Footage of the incident shows a motorcyclist blocking the woman&#39;s path before repeatedly slapping her and pulling her hair. Reportedly suffering a fractured nasal bone, the victim was subjected to an assault that no disagreement or provocation could possibly justify. Equally distressing was the apparent inaction of several onlookers who stood watching as the violence unfolded.

The suspect&#39;s subsequent arrest, followed by his release on bail against a surety of Rs100,000, has understandably provoked outrage. However, public anger, no matter how justified, cannot replace due process. The footage provides compelling visual evidence of the assault, but criminal responsibility and punishment must ultimately be determined by a court of law. Bail does not constitute an acquittal, nor should it be mistaken for the conclusion of legal proceedings. It is imperative that investigators build a strong case and ensure that the victim receives the protection and legal support necessary to pursue justice without intimidation. Calls for retaliatory violence, even when driven by sympathy for the victim, offer no lasting solution. Instead, the courts must ensure that the matter proceeds without unnecessary delay and, should the charges be proved, impose a sufficiently stringent punishment within the law. An exemplary judicial outcome would send a far stronger message than public humiliation or revenge.

Lasting deterrence depends not on the intensity of public outrage but on the certainty that violence carries meaningful legal consequences. Justice delivered through due process would vindicate the victim&#39;s rights while reinforcing a principle that society urgently needs to uphold.]]>
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			<title>A revamped unit</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636889/a-revamped-unit</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636889/a-revamped-unit#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 26 19:34:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The induction of new players into Team Pakistan has brought much-needed hope and energy to an otherwise notoriously struggling unit. Facing heavyweight England and a promising Sri Lanka in the ongoing ODI tri-nation series at home, a revamped Pakistan squad has surprised fans and critics alike, clinching convincing victories in their opening two matches. This comeback is driven by exciting new players and a fresh leadership style that has served to change the overall mindset of the team.

Among the standout performers, Sahibzada Farhan has carried his phenomenal T20 form into the ongoing ODI series with sharp intelligence and a calm demeanour. His flamboyance with the bat at the top of the order eases the pressure on those who follow. Hasan Nawaz too is proving himself as a reliable anchor up the order. Nawaz brings natural flair to the batting line-up, with a proven knack for taking on world-class bowling units without hesitation. Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha, though not a brand-new face, has of late transformed himself into a dependable white-ball striker and a mainstay of the batting lineup. Providing the necessary balance to the side is young all-rounder Arafat Minhas, who has emerged as a genuine impact player. His ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs with his clever bowling, coupled with explosive lower-order batting, promises to perfectly fill the role of a genuine bowling all-rounder. Waiting in the wings is Razaullah Mashwani, a fast bowler whose explosive lower-order batting mesmerised the cricket fraternity during his recent debut in England.

This young sporting brigade has successfully replaced the departing seniors and brought a new energy to the field. Their sharp fielding, aggressive attitude, and hunger to win have impressed all. By easily beating both Sri Lanka and England right at the start, this new-look Team Pakistan has proven that a new era has dawned.]]>
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			<title>Untreated wastewater</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636724/shortage-of-teachers-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636724/shortage-of-teachers-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 26 19:38:30 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Unchecked discharge of hazardous effluents carries serious consequences for the environment]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh&#39;s failure to treat wastewater has become a glaring example of administrative neglect. Untreated waste is being discharged from multiple locations across the province. Particularly alarming is the state of Karachi&#39;s wastewater treatment infrastructure. According to former Supreme Court judge Amir Hani Muslim, only one of the city&#39;s four treatment plants is partially functional. This is an unacceptable situation for a metropolis that generates hundreds of millions of gallons of sewage daily.

Unchecked discharge of hazardous effluents carries serious consequences for the environment. Industrial chemicals and toxic substances can contaminate soil, damage fragile ecosystems and threaten biodiversity. Decomposing sewage creates unhygienic conditions and exposes nearby communities to disease. Equally concerning is the improper disposal of medical waste, which often ends up mixed with ordinary municipal refuse because hospitals lack adequate disposal facilities. A major concern is the limited capacity of existing treatment plants, many of which remain dysfunctional or operate well below their intended capacity. Rapid urbanisation and industrial expansion have considerably increased the volume of wastewater generated, yet corresponding investments in treatment infrastructure have failed to keep pace. The result is an overburdened system in which untreated sewage and industrial effluents are routinely disposed of without adequate safeguards. Weak monitoring and inconsistent enforcement have allowed these practices to persist. The problem has persisted for years, largely because wastewater management has received neither the investment nor the administrative attention it requires.

The provincial government must undertake a comprehensive assessment of existing treatment plants and prioritise their rehabilitation alongside the development of additional facilities. Hospitals, meanwhile, must be held accountable for the segregation and safe disposal of hazardous medical waste. Authorities must also ensure that industries operate functional treatment facilities and comply with prescribed standards.]]>
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			<title>A prescription for shortages</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636719/a-prescription-for-shortages</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636719/a-prescription-for-shortages#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 26 19:38:30 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Domestic pharmaceutical industry is having its own problems]]>
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				<![CDATA[A commonly used insulin product is in short supply across Pakistan, after its German manufacturer halted supplies for a year-long factory upgrade. The supply disruption has wreaked havoc for people with chronic illnesses that require imported medicines. Supplies of the rapid-acting insulin have fallen from 3,500 kits to just 1,000, and the health ministry concedes that the disruption - which is also affecting Asia, Australia and Europe - may worsen. The government has reassured that alternative insulin products made by other big-name foreign companies are available, but while this statement is true, the competing brands also cost at least 20% more, and could also face supply headaches, since there is a global shortage. Also important is that even switching medicine brands for a while could negatively affect patients.

It is also worth noting that last year, the Pakistan Medical Association warned that at least 80 essential medicines had become unavailable, including drugs for cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The main factors for the delay appear to be financial policy, supply disruptions and domestic policy paralysis. Around 40 newly registered life-saving medicines remain in regulatory limbo because the federal government has delayed approving their retail prices, while 105 hardship-category medicines have had their price cases frozen for over two and a half years, forcing manufacturers to halt production.

At the same time, the domestic pharmaceutical industry is having its own problems, as drug makers continue to push back on price controls. The government must get ahead of the curve by expediting price approvals for essential medicines, improving stock monitoring and communicating transparently with suppliers and the public. In the long term, Pakistan cannot remain wholly dependent on imported insulin analogues. Local production and diversified supply chains deserve serious investment. A medicine&#39;s availability on official registers means little when a patient cannot find it - or afford it - at the neighbourhood pharmacy.]]>
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			<title>Give diplomacy a chance</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636718/give-diplomacy-a-chance</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636718/give-diplomacy-a-chance#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 26 19:38:30 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Only a sustained dialogue process can lead to a new consensus]]>
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				<![CDATA[Diplomats are huddling for a cause. They want to save the region, especially the Middle East, from once again becoming a theater of warfare. The absence of a firm word from the United States that it will not embark on a misadventure, coupled with its dubious signals that it wants to settle scores with Iran, has kept global peace on tenterhooks. Thus, the huddle in Istanbul of foreign ministers from T&uuml;rkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (the R4), along with their counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and the UK, was a serious and highly appreciated attempt toward de-escalating the situation.

The Makkah Agreement and the Badr Pact are acting as necessary defensive shields to ward off crises and provide a source of strength. Keeping an eye on jingoism from the Houthis, as well as Israel, is a sine qua non for preserving the prevailing, uneasy peace. These two actors are unpredictable and possess the disruptive capacity to derail the CBMs that are being worked out in all sincerity. At the same time, it is necessary for Washington and Tehran to return to the table and proceed unconditionally with implementing the Islamabad MoU.

Bickering over long-term issues, such as the future regional order and the nuclear riddle, will surely act as a distraction. The need of the hour is to ensure that there is no return to war, and that the two cardinal geo-economic maritime routes - the Bab-El-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz - remain open. Development bodies fear a recession, and the IMF foresees a 1.7% contraction in global growth. This can only be warded off by working together toward a broad-based peace agenda, and the meeting in T&uuml;rkiye was a step in the right direction.

It&#39;s time to give diplomacy a chance. Only a sustained dialogue process can lead to a new consensus, paving the way to address regional conflicts that have long acted as a spanner in the wheels of peace. Resolving the Palestinian dispute must remain on the agenda if a perpetual peace accord is to be attained in the region.]]>
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			<title>Protecting the watchdogs</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636575/protecting-the-watchdogs</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636575/protecting-the-watchdogs#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 26 18:55:38 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Safety requires more than condemnations]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistani journalists continue to work in one of the world&#39;s most dangerous media environments, according to several local and international press-related NGOs and monitoring groups. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) regularly ranks Pakistan among the deadliest countries for reporters, with dozens killed in the past two decades, but barely any prosecutions or convictions to show. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) similarly documents persistent physical attacks, death threats, harassment and digital surveillance. The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) records dozens of cases each year - from beatings and abductions to pressure on media owners to silence critical coverage. These threats are not just dangers for journalists, but also detrimental to all Pakistanis, as the public&#39;s right to know is being eroded.

The threats themselves range from non-state armed groups targeting journalists to political and economic pressures - including advertising boycotts, licensing leverage and legal harassment - which have forced newsrooms to self-censor. Digital intimidation, including hacking and online smear campaigns, increasingly follows reporters home. The common thread is impunity, because when attacks go uninvestigated and unpunished, they embolden further violence. CPJ&#39;s impunity index has repeatedly highlighted Pakistan&#39;s failure to bring the killers of journalists to justice.

Safety requires more than condemnations. The federal and provincial governments should establish independent, adequately funded protection mechanisms that are approved by journalist unions. The police must treat attacks on journalists as attacks on democratic accountability, with transparent investigations and witness protection. The judiciary should also expedite hearings of cases involving violence against journalists.

Journalists are the public&#39;s eyes and ears. A free press is not a threat to stability, but rather a precondition for good governance in a democracy.]]>
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			<title>Organ trade crackdown</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636574/organ-trade-crackdown</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636574/organ-trade-crackdown#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 26 18:55:38 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Underlying this criminal industry is an uncomfortable economic reality]]>
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				<![CDATA[The FIA&#39;s recent crackdown on an illegal transplant network in Islamabad is commendable. Five arrests, the seizure of vehicles and the freezing of properties worth Rs87.5 million suggest that the trade is not merely sustained by desperate patients and impoverished donors. It is a lucrative criminal enterprise that relies on intermediaries and medical expertise with access to healthcare facilities.

Of particular concern is the ease with which the suspects circumvented established medical procedures. Forged referral letters and false donor identities were reportedly used to obtain laboratory tests, while transplants were performed inside residential properties without the necessary medical safeguards. How were such arrangements allowed to operate, and why were irregularities in donor verification not detected? These questions must be answered through a thorough investigation rather than another round of arrests that leaves the wider network untouched. Pakistan&#39;s transplantation laws expressly prohibit the commercial sale of human organs, yet legislation means little when its enforcement remains inconsistent. Regulatory authorities must establish stricter mechanisms for verifying donor relationships and scrutinising transplant records. Hospitals found to have knowingly facilitated illegal procedures must face serious consequences, while medical professionals involved in the trade should be subjected to criminal prosecution. Following the money is equally important, particularly where illicit proceeds have allegedly been invested in property.

Underlying this criminal industry is an uncomfortable economic reality. Poverty leaves vulnerable individuals susceptible to brokers who offer immediate financial relief in exchange for irreversible medical risks. Meanwhile, patients facing lengthy waits for legitimate transplantation may be driven towards dangerous alternatives. Enforcement must therefore be accompanied by stronger donor protections and improvements in access to lawful transplantation services.]]>
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			<title>An uneasy peace</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636573/an-uneasy-peace</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636573/an-uneasy-peace#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 26 18:55:38 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[American military assets stand depleted in the Middle East]]>
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				<![CDATA[As Americans gear up for the November 3 mid-term polls to elect Representatives and Senators, an uneasy peace prevails in the Middle East. President Trump&#39;s wish list for a deal with Iran - under which the Islamic Republic would give up its enriched uranium and provide safe passage for the superpower to exit the volatile region - remains unrealised. Hectic diplomatic efforts by Qatar and Pakistan have yet to bear fruit. Iran remains adamant that the US must exit the region, as the latter stands badly bruised by the losses it incurred in the war.

American military assets stand depleted in the Middle East, with many key military bases heavily degraded by recent conflict. Coupled with this is the reality of Israel being unable to unilaterally defend itself, as its Iron Dome air defence system has been severely overwhelmed. Last but not least is the reluctance of Doha and Riyadh to back any new military adventurism by Washington against Tehran.

This paints a paradoxical security dilemma wherein the Gulf Arab states that once depended on US military muscle are now on their own. On a positive note, a trans-regional security nexus is in the making. The trilateral Makkah Agreement and the recently-signed four-nation Badr Pact - comprising Pakistan, T&uuml;rkiye, Qatar and Indonesia - are spontaneous responses to this shift. By focusing on joint military production and technical R&amp;D, these nations have emerged as a formidable deterrent force.

Yet, Washington&#39;s jingoism and lack of a consistent policy remain a major point of concern. All signs indicate the region is heading back toward a major conflagration. Reports from across the Atlantic that the US wants to nail down Iran as a point-scoring exercise before the midterms are deeply unnerving. The body language and rhetoric emerging from Iran&#39;s power corridors is one of defiance, and the IRGC has vowed &quot;surprises&quot; that could prove disastrous for American allies in the region. No such misadventure will bring an end to the war; instead, it would trigger a new geo-economic crisis and leave the region devastated to the core.]]>
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			<title>Smog warning</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636378/smog-warning</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636378/smog-warning#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 26 19:47:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Punjab has announced a series of preventive measures, including inspections of smoke-emitting vehicles]]>
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				<![CDATA[A spell of rain may temporarily clear Lahore&#39;s skies, but it cannot wash away the fact that smog has become an annual public health crisis. Within days of last week&#39;s brief respite, air quality deteriorated once again, with official readings reaching highly unhealthy levels this past Wednesday. As winter approaches, the city faces the prospect of another punishing smog season, raising serious questions about whether the authorities are sufficiently prepared to protect millions of residents.

Years of exposure to hazardous air should have made prevention a permanent government priority rather than an emergency exercise undertaken when pollution reaches intolerable levels. Punjab has announced a series of preventive measures, including inspections of smoke-emitting vehicles. These initiatives are necessary, but their effectiveness must be judged by improvements in air quality. Seasonal crackdowns have repeatedly failed to produce lasting relief because the underlying sources of pollution remain largely unchecked. Of particular concern is the danger to children. Unicef has warned that polluted environments increase children&#39;s susceptibility to acute respiratory infections and can impair lung development. In November 2024, the agency estimated that more than 11 million children under five were exposed to severe smog across Punjab&#39;s worst-affected districts. Such warnings demand preparations that extend beyond advising families to remain indoors.

Much also depends on the government&#39;s ability to anticipate dangerous pollution episodes. At the same time, authorities must ensure strict compliance with industrial emission standards and improve public transport and provide farmers with practical alternatives to crop burning. Lahore cannot continue surrendering several months of every year to poisonous air. Clean air is not a seasonal privilege to be restored by favourable weather. It is a basic public health necessity.]]>
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			<title>Judge, jury and executioner</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636377/judge-jury-and-executioner</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636377/judge-jury-and-executioner#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 26 19:47:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Such encounters violate Pakistani law, international guidelines, which permissible only when necessary, proportionate]]>
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				<![CDATA[The entire country appears doubtful of the police claims regarding the circumstances under which the suspect in the killing of a teenager in Multan was himself killed. Tauqir Nazir, a contractor, allegedly killed teenager Waseem Abbas over a work dispute earlier this week by running him over in a car. Nazir was arrested, produced before a magistrate and remanded into police custody. Within hours, police claimed Nazir had tried to flee custody and was killed in a shootout near Bahawalpur. Police claim that his accomplices killed him, though supporting evidence is currently limited. Similarly, the alleged fraudster who drove student Laiba Ijaz to suicide was also killed by his accomplices during an escape attempt.

While it is true that both killings could have gone down exactly as described by the police, it would not surprise anyone to learn that certain details were curiously inaccurate. The HRCP has already demanded an independent inquiry, warning that extrajudicial killings violate due process and deprive victims&#39; families of the truth. But while the higher-profile cases always seem to get authorities&#39; attention, rights groups have noticed and are demanding a transparent inquiry. After all, the last nine months of 2025 generated dozens of problematic fights. An HRCP fact-finding report documented at least 670 CCD-led encounters in Punjab between April and December 2025, leaving 924 suspects dead. Only two police officers were killed in the same period. That casualty imbalance - more than two fatal encounters a day - cannot be explained by professionalism. It points to an institutionalised practice of staged killings. The Punjab government has rejected allegations of staged encounters, but denial is not evidence.

The official script is also suspiciously uniform: suspects always fire first, police always respond in self-defence, and the dead are always &quot;hardened criminals&quot;. Civilian witnesses are absent, magisterial inquiries are skipped, and families are intimidated into silence. Such encounters violate Pakistani law and international guidelines, which is permissible only when necessary and proportionate.]]>
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			<title>Rough road to growth</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636376/rough-road-to-growth</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636376/rough-road-to-growth#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 26 19:47:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2636376</guid>
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				<![CDATA[World Bank's 2026 report noted that Pakistan recorded a GDP growth of 3.7%]]>
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				<![CDATA[The IMF has painted a dismal picture of the regional economy, forecasting a 1.3% contraction in 2026 as a result of the war in the Middle East. Pakistan, which is in the eye of the storm due to severe supply chain disruptions and soaring oil prices, is likely to see a sharp decline in production. The Fund&#39;s latest outlook is a point of concern that demands immediate corrective measures. The global lender, however, predicts a rebound of up to 6.6% growth in 2027, a projection that remains contingent upon the trajectory of energy supplies. The region has already suffered a slump in energy production alongside a severe slowdown in tourism and investment. Furthermore, the IMF warns that external financial conditions could tighten globally if investors reassess AI-driven productivity gains while interest rates rise.

Pakistan, however, has walked a tightrope as far as its commitments to the IMF programme are concerned, earning a pat on the back for clinching macroeconomic stability. Reflecting this progress, the World Bank&#39;s 2026 report noted that Pakistan recorded a GDP growth of 3.7%. This turnaround has subsequently driven an improvement in the country&#39;s credit rating, backed by the fact that total liquid foreign exchange reserves have surged past $21 billion. Similarly, global lenders have exhibited renewed confidence in the economy; when bonds worth $750 million were floated, the market response was a definitive success. Last but not least, the central bank has been astute in managing the policy rate as average headline inflation is officially estimated at 7.1%, while the state has successfully engineered a substantial financial cushion.

The country, nonetheless, faces an arduous road ahead as unemployment, political instability and external shocks cast a long shadow over a fragile economy. Likewise, climate degradation, a drawdown in agrarian production and thinning exports are daunting challenges that can only be overcome through strategic structural reforms. A surgical overhaul of the taxation machinery is inevitable to stay afloat.]]>
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			<title>Minor's brutal killing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636177/minors-brutal-killing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636177/minors-brutal-killing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 26 19:46:46 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2636177</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The short life of Waseem Abbas, the victim, was a catalog of institutional neglect]]>
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				<![CDATA[The horrific incident in Multan - where a 15-year-old boy was chased and crushed to death by a car - has once again highlighted the plight of children in Pakistan. It also raises questions about the state of orphanages, the depth to which humanity has stooped, and the shameful conduct of lawyers.

The short life of Waseem Abbas, the victim, was a catalog of institutional neglect. Abandoned at a private shelter after his parents separated, the minor boy was sent to learn electrical work under a contractor who oversaw dozens of boys - a clear violation of child labour laws. When Waseem tried to flee this abusive arrangement after a workplace dispute, his employer, Tauqeer Nazir, chased him down in a car, deliberately crushing him against a gate. He died at the scene, alone and terrified, while the state&#39;s only contribution was to record his murder after the fact.

This tragedy exposes the dark side of our society that tends to ignore the exploitation of its most vulnerable. Here, children are not viewed as innocent lives to be nurtured, but as cheap, expendable commodities. The way Waseem ran for his life suggests a child running away from systemic physical or emotional abuse - yet there was no safety net to catch him, only the cold cruelty of an entitled master. That a man could look at a fleeing, terrified teenager and weaponise a vehicle to crush him shows how deeply the moral fabric of our society has rotted.

Compounding this moral decay was the disgraceful spectacle at the local courts. When the accused was produced for his hearing, a group of lawyers assaulted him outside the courtroom, slapping and punching him despite the presence of police. It was a mob in black coats acting as self-appointed judges &ndash; making a mockery of the rule of law. Ironically, those sworn to uphold the law instead mirrored the very lawlessness that killed Waseem, exposing a broken system where raw emotion and brute force override the pursuit of actual institutional justice.]]>
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			<title>Failure beyond negligence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636176/failure-beyond-negligence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636176/failure-beyond-negligence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 26 19:46:46 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Consider the circumstances surrounding Ali's death]]>
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				<![CDATA[Few failures of law enforcement are more damaging than an investigation in which the pursuit of truth becomes secondary to the defence of institutional incompetence. In Mir Raza Ali&#39;s murder case, precisely such a breakdown appears to have occurred, with investigators disregarding elementary procedures, defending questionable conclusions and compromising the very evidence needed to establish culpability. This is what the judicial commission has uncovered.

Consider the circumstances surrounding Ali&#39;s death. His body was discovered in bushes in Karachi&#39;s Gulistan-e-Jauhar, yet police hastily pursued a suicide theory, citing financial difficulties and an initial post-mortem examination that was subsequently contradicted. A second autopsy established that he had been shot from behind, while the commission identified acid burns, traces of anesthesia in his blood and a bullet trajectory incompatible with suicide. The pistol he was seen carrying in CCTV footage remains missing. Despite these glaring inconsistencies, crucial evidence was mishandled and investigative procedures disregarded. Particularly damning is the commission&#39;s finding of criminal negligence by the SHO and the first investigating officer. Such serious lapses demand an explanation of how a suspected murder was allowed to become a deeply compromised investigation.

Accountability must now take precedence over institutional damage control. The Sindh government should immediately constitute the JIT recommended by the commission, ensuring that it operates independently of officers implicated in the original inquiry. Criminal negligence identified on the part of the SHO and investigating officers must be followed by disciplinary proceedings, while an independent inquiry should determine whether evidence was deliberately destroyed or concealed. With much of the physical evidence already compromised, investigators must prioritise available digital and forensic evidence. Public disclosure of the inquiry&#39;s progress and regular communication with the family are essential to restoring confidence in the investigation.]]>
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			<title>No to strategic imbalance</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636175/no-to-strategic-imbalance</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2636175/no-to-strategic-imbalance#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 26 19:46:46 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[World community must take a deeper interest in these shifting security doctrines]]>
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				<![CDATA[India&#39;s unilateral move to rewrite its strategic doctrine towards Pakistan is a cause for alarm and a direct outcome of its hegemonic designs. New Delhi&#39;s reported deployment of nuclear weapons aboard a submarine, alongside its missile modernisation programmes, heavily risks escalation. The plot thickens as the reputable SIPRI also cautioned that India has deployed around 12 nuclear warheads on a submarine for deterrence patrols. This shift has cast doubt on India&#39;s declared &#39;No-First-Use&#39; policy. This transformation follows a pattern of power-maximising behaviour that does not bode well for a region sitting on tenterhooks of suspicion and instability. Ultimately, the induction of ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapon systems and AI-based strike capabilities are clear attempts to shift the deterrence dynamics in the region.

The concern expressed by two NCA advisers at a seminar in Islamabad yesterday was on the mark. They rightly suspected that India was moving towards a more &quot;prepared, potentially first-use capable nuclear posture&quot;. Their contention that Pakistan &quot;will review and reconsider all options for appropriate deployments in order to restore the strategic balance and strategic stability while retaining the policy of strategic ambiguity&quot; is the new plausibility in terms of re-assuring a deterrent. It is worth-mentioning that Pakistan rejects a No-First-Use policy and officially maintains a first-use capability, as part of its nuclear deterrence strategy against India. That means Islamabad relies on a doctrine of &quot;Full Spectrum Deterrence&quot; to offset India&#39;s conventional military superiority.

The world community must take a deeper interest in these shifting security doctrines and ensure that the nuclear dyad maintains the status quo. Adding to the suspicion, India failed to inform Pakistan of its submarine ballistic missile tests, bypassing established protocols like the annual exchange of nuclear asset lists and military flag-meetings. New Delhi must remember how the May 2025 confrontation brought both nations to the brink of a nuclear exchange, and refrain from using dangerous jingoism for political gain.]]>
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			<title>Karachi's waste problem</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635968/karachis-waste-problem</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635968/karachis-waste-problem#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 26 19:31:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Karachi's sanitation crisis begins well before waste arrives at a disposal site]]>
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				<![CDATA[The inauguration of Sindh&#39;s first engineered sanitary landfill at Jam Chakro is a welcome and long-overdue step towards addressing Karachi&#39;s worsening waste disposal problem. The development, alongside four planned garbage transfer stations, deserves recognition. However, it also raises a fundamental question. What good is a modern landfill if much of the city&#39;s garbage never reaches it?

Karachi&#39;s sanitation crisis begins well before waste arrives at a disposal site. There was a time when municipal workers routinely swept streets and garbage was collected from neighbourhoods. Over the years, this basic service has steadily deteriorated, leaving residents in many localities dependent on private collectors or forced to tolerate heaps of refuse accumulating along roadsides. The disappearance of regular collection has allowed illegal dumping grounds to proliferate, with waste frequently finding its way into stormwater drains and vacant plots. The problem is compounded by weak oversight and fragmented responsibility. Only days before the inauguration, the Sindh Assembly&#39;s Public Accounts Committee raised concerns about uncollected garbage across Karachi and questioned the functioning of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board. Substantial public expenditure on waste management must translate into cleaner neighbourhoods rather than merely larger contracts and new infrastructure.

A lasting solution requires an integrated system that begins at the household and extends to final disposal. Regular street sweeping and scheduled garbage collection must be restored across all neighbourhoods, supported by adequate collection points and enforceable performance standards for contractors. Greater attention must also be paid to waste segregation and recycling so that landfills do not become overwhelmed by material that could otherwise be recovered. Above all, municipal authorities must establish clear lines of accountability, allowing residents to report failures and expect timely action. The Jam Chakro project represents an important investment, but it cannot substitute for the everyday functioning of municipal services.]]>
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			<title>Another polio reminder</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635967/another-polio-reminder</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635967/another-polio-reminder#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 26 19:31:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Country has conducted four large-scale vaccination campaigns in 2026]]>
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				<![CDATA[The confirmation of a polio case in Karachi is a reminder that no part of the country can be considered safe from the crippling disease. The city had been polio-free for nearly two years before the case of the current victim, a baby boy from Jamali Colony in Karachi East. The boy was reportedly malnourished, which makes people more susceptible to diseases, but reports did not confirm whether or not the boy had been vaccinated.

The latest victim is the seventh person to get polio in the current year, and some critics have been quick to blame external factors, but the fact is that eradicating a disease such as polio should not be this hard - vaccines are donated by other countries and NGOs, while several local and international NGOs also pitch in to support your study abroad effort. Despite all the foreign support, environmental surveillance has consistently revealed polio traces around Karachi, so even if people are not getting sick, we continue to detect the virus in water throughout the year, meaning that it was only a matter of time before something went wrong.

The country has conducted four large-scale vaccination campaigns in 2026, reaching over 45 million children, and has reduced cases from 74 in 2024 to 31 in 2025 and now seven this year. Such gains are real and deserve recognition, but the ultimate goal - zero cases - remains elusive, and each new infection pushes it further out of reach. It does not help that insecurity and access constraints abound in southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, while pockets of vaccine refusal and misinformation also contribute to the virus threat.

There is still an optimistic take on the situation, as one single case should not be cause for knee-jerk reactions. Pakistan has made significant progress in reducing annual cases, and with the right social conditions, we could significantly boost vaccine coverage and access to reliable information. Polio will almost certainly hit a few more kids in the coming years, but we hope this next batch will be the last.]]>
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			<title>Pushing for de-dollarisation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635966/pushing-for-de-dollarisation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635966/pushing-for-de-dollarisation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 26 19:31:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan's stated intention to promote, protect WTO's multilateral trading system to ensure inclusive global growth]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan put forward a pertinent proposal concerning developing economies by calling for the use of national currencies in mutual settlements. It also voiced the need to establish mechanisms, such as development banks, to offset global financial shocks. Speaking at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar pushed the envelope further on a resolve previously attained by the 10-member bloc in Islamabad in 2024. He stressed the need for a roadmap to gradually increase the share of national currencies in trade, moving away from the monopoly of the US dollar. The proposed establishment of an SCO Fund and new investment avenues are direct extensions of this strategy.

Establishing a parallel global economy has been a longstanding goal for developing nations, particularly those facing US sanctions. As targets of Western restrictions that stifle growth and block international market access, Russia and Iran are leading this push. To reduce reliance on the greenback and alleviate debt burdens, these nations have proposed trading through a basket of mutually acceptable local currencies. While BRICS remains central to this effort, its recent New Delhi summit stopped short of proposing a common currency, focusing instead on interoperable payment systems and national-currency trade.

Pakistan&#39;s stated intention is to promote and protect the WTO&#39;s multilateral trading system to ensure inclusive global growth. The Global South has long criticised the protectionist policies and unilateral coercive measures of Western nations which have left the world with a deeply lopsided developmental landscape. These nations argue with good reason that the US dollar&#39;s monopoly, established primarily after the 1973 Middle East oil crisis, violates the spirit of international law by exacerbating inequality and suppressing growth. Incorporating currencies like the yuan, ruble, yen and rupee into international trade settlements is indispensable to erecting a new financial architecture built for equitable global development.]]>
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			<title>Abandoning Gaza</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635762/abandoning-gaza</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635762/abandoning-gaza#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 26 19:36:50 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2635762</guid>
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				<![CDATA[WFP will now assist 1.1 million people instead of 1.6 million]]>
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				<![CDATA[For Palestinians who have endured years of relentless bombardment and starvation, the prospect of losing humanitarian assistance is yet another cruel blow. The World Food Programme&#39;s decision to discontinue monthly food assistance to 500,000 people in Gaza, owing to a funding shortfall, is an indictment of the international community&#39;s diminishing commitment to a population that remains dependent on outside help for survival.

That such a withdrawal is taking place while 1.4 million Palestinians continue to face acute food insecurity speaks volumes about the world&#39;s willingness to look away from a humanitarian catastrophe that is far from over. The WFP will now assist 1.1 million people instead of 1.6 million, while those fortunate enough to remain beneficiaries will receive reduced food rations and cash assistance. Whatever limited improvement has occurred is largely attributable to the very humanitarian assistance that is now being withdrawn. Cutting this lifeline risks reversing those gains and condemning already malnourished families to further deprivation. The international community cannot absolve itself of responsibility by citing financial constraints. The WFP requires $450 million over the next six months to sustain its operations in Gaza and the West Bank. That such a sum remains difficult to mobilise, while governments continue to commit enormous resources to military expenditure, exposes a disturbing imbalance in global priorities. The drastic reduction in American contributions to international humanitarian programmes has compounded the crisis.

Wealthy nations, particularly those wielding influence over the conflict, must be held accountable for their failure to ensure that civilians have access to the necessities of life. Israel, meanwhile, must remove restrictions on humanitarian and commercial supplies and facilitate relief operations. Donor governments must immediately restore funding, while global institutions should press for guarantees that humanitarian assistance will reach those who need it without political obstruction.]]>
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			<title>Mental health crisis</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635761/mental-health-crisis-3</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635761/mental-health-crisis-3#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 26 19:36:50 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Mental health must no longer be treated as a secondary concern]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s first nationally representative mental health survey has revealed a quiet but serious crisis gripping the nation. Evaluating nearly 18,000 adults across all four provinces between 2018 and 2022, the landmark study paints a deeply concerniXng picture of the nation&#39;s health landscape. The data shows that 32 per cent of adults - nearly every third - are living with a diagnosable mental or behavioural disorder; and 38 per cent have experienced a psychological disorder at some point during their lifetime. The breakdown of specific conditions highlights a widespread trauma: PTSD i.e. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects one in five adults (20%); depression is suffered by more than one in 10 individuals; and suicidal thoughts are experienced by 6 per cent.

That this escalating crisis warrants priority focus goes without saying. Addressing a crisis of this magnitude requires immediate, structural interventions led by the government in partnership with the private sector. The foremost steps that need to be taken are: 1) Psychological services must be integrated into basic rural health centres and basic healthcare infrastructure to work around the severe shortage of specialised psychiatric facilities. 2) Lady health workers, school teachers and community leaders should be educated in basic &#39;psychological first-aid&#39; to enable early detection and timely support at the grassroots level. 3) Government-backed digital counseling apps should be introduced to provide immediate, cost-effective crisis intervention, particularly for those battling acute depression or suicidal thoughts. And 4) Public education drives should be launched to help dismantle the intense social stigma that prevents individuals from discussing their emotional struggles or seeking professional help.

Mental health must no longer be treated as a secondary concern. A sustained, well-funded national strategy is urgently required to secure a healthier, more resilient future for generations to come.]]>
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			<title>A global troika</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635760/a-global-troika</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635760/a-global-troika#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 26 19:36:50 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Troika possesses the power and potential to bring sanity to otherwise messy global politics]]>
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				<![CDATA[Diplomacy is the art of navigating a path through adversity. Russian President Vladimir Putin&#39;s off-the-cuff proposal for a trilateral summit with his American and Chinese counterparts is an epoch-making initiative. It could go a long way toward not only providing clarity to wayward realpolitik, but also helping formulate a way forward toward a rules-based world order. The Czar was candid; he minced no words when stating that the upcoming APEC summit in China could act as an icebreaker to deliberate on issues confronting evolving multilateralism, especially the conflict in Ukraine.

This troika possesses the power and potential to bring sanity to otherwise messy global politics. It is worrisome that two major wars are underway across two continents, both of which could turn out to be catastrophic. The war in the Middle East has already taken a severe toll, interrupting supply chains and causing soaring oil prices that are pushing the world to the brink of a recession. Likewise, the Russo-Ukrainian war has effectively dismantled the deterrence that existed between Russia and the US since the heyday of the Cold War. Both of these flashpoints can be effectively addressed if Presidents Trump, Putin and Xi Jinping gather for a huddle of statesmanship.

The previous APEC meeting in South Korea served as an opportunity for Xi and Trump to forge a coordinated understanding over North Korean fractures; a similar approach could be adopted for the Middle East. Similarly, a t&ecirc;te-&agrave;-t&ecirc;te between Putin and Trump over Ukraine - with Xi playing the role of an honest broker - could be a blessing in disguise. Notwithstanding the Ukrainian Foreign Minister&#39;s objections to the proposed trilateral moot, the initiative must go ahead in all sincerity.

World leaders must take a cue from Islamabad, whose solitary initiative to mediate between arch-foes, the US and Iran, led to a landmark memorandum of understanding that paused a dreaded war in the Middle East. The huddles at the Oval Office in September between Trump and Xi, alongside the Alaska understanding between Putin and Trump, should serve as precedents for carving out an unprecedented detente on the global stage.]]>
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			<title>Russia's reconnect</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635578/russias-reconnect</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635578/russias-reconnect#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 26 19:36:28 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[As regional dynamics remain in a state of flux, Russia appears to be recalibrating its strategic posture. Central to this evolving landscape is Pakistan, which, given its geopolitical significance, has a pivotal role to play and remains highly adaptive to shifting ground realities. The suspension of maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, alongside ongoing instability in the Red Sea, poses a threat to Pakistan&#39;s interests. Furthermore, escalating terrorism - fueled by Afghanistan&#39;s emergence as a hub for non-state actors - presents a growing concern for nations that have engaged with the Taliban regime. Consequently, Russia&#39;s proactive efforts to bridge regional rifts are increasingly evident and signal a positive turn for long-term peace and security.

Russia, of late, has shown its cards. It wants perpetual peace in Afghanistan and is also wary of the simmering tensions between Kabul and Islamabad. While Moscow praises the Taliban for &quot;putting up a brave fight against ISIS&quot;, it is more than eager to strengthen Kabul&#39;s counter-terrorism capabilities. The Kremlin believes that the mushrooming terror nexus inside Afghanistan could have a spillover effect on its own security. The unending imbroglio in Ukraine, coupled with Afghanistan slipping back into the abyss of lawlessness, poses direct strategic threats to Russia. Thus, the back-to-back visits of high-powered Russian delegations to Islamabad, Kabul and New Delhi are no coincidence; something is cooking as a strategic deterrent.

The million-dollar question is whether Moscow is aiming to stage a comeback on the global stage while Washington is essentially in retreat. Russia&#39;s advice to the Iranians is also one of strategic restraint, urging them not to escalate the war beyond its current borders. This serves as a mechanism to keep Tehran on its side as a bargaining chip in an evolving landscape of realpolitik. The Makkah Pact, however, is a new development in the scheme of things, and this is where Russia will have to reposition itself if it wants to lead from the front. The sudden rise of the Houthis and their precision attacks on Saudi Arabia appear to be a telling tale of deception and re-engagement.]]>
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			<title>10 million hungry mouths</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635579/10-million-hungry-mouths</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635579/10-million-hungry-mouths#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 26 19:36:28 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[With destitution on the rise as global economies enter a phase of contraction, hunger is raising its ugly head in at least 10 countries. It is quite unfortunate that Pakistan is one of them, with more than 10 million people malnourished and living below the poverty line. A new report by &quot;Action Against Hunger&quot;, released in connection with World Food Day, warns that an estimated 10.6 million people in Pakistan will require humanitarian assistance. This report comes weeks after the South Asian country was ranked among nations with the lowest Human Development Index scores, while also remaining a prime victim of terrorism.

The report cautions that more than 177 million people around the world are in hunger-concentrated zones. Likewise, &quot;acute hunger&quot; has doubled over the past decade, affecting 266 million people across 47 countries. There is a host of reasons behind this decay, many of which stem from environmental degradation, institutional ad-hocism, and rampant corruption among developing countries. As far as Pakistan is concerned, climate-related disasters, economic hardship, displacement and shrinking humanitarian funding are responsible for this sordid state of affairs.

It is also worth noting that Pakistan has a dismal record in terms of budgetary allocations to education and health; according to UNICEF and the WHO, around 55% of the population lacks access to clean drinking water. Moreover, high food inflation, soaring unemployment, and declining household incomes continue to erode the quality of life for millions every year. Pakistan, despite being an agrarian state, has one of the lowest yields per acre. Similarly, unfavourable prices for farmers&#39; crops and the lack of a vibrant farm-industry nexus have amplified the food crisis.

The report should serve as an eye-opener for policymakers. An instant damage-control strategy must be ushered in to feed the hungry and undo the trend of societal disenfranchisement. Food insecurity can only be addressed by tackling water scarcity, salinity and waterlogging, and by introducing mechanised farming.]]>
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			<title>Passport reform</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635580/passport-reform</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635580/passport-reform#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 26 19:36:28 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s decision to phase out machine-readable passports in favour of electronic passports is a welcome step towards modernising its immigration infrastructure. The transition, expected to be completed within a month, should strengthen document security and bring the country closer to international standards. However, technological advancement must be accompanied by administrative efficiency and affordability. For millions of Pakistanis, obtaining a passport has often been an unnecessarily cumbersome exercise marked by bureaucratic hurdles and delays.

Electronic passports are hardly a new development in Pakistan. Introduced in 2022 and subsequently made available nationwide in 2023, they contain embedded chips that store biometric information and enable more reliable identity verification. Their wider adoption is overdue, particularly as international travel increasingly relies on digital authentication. Yet the government&#39;s assertion that the new technology would make forgery impossible is an exaggeration. No security system is entirely immune to manipulation, and the effectiveness of electronic passports depends as much on secure databases and verification mechanisms as on the sophistication of the documents themselves. Pakistan must therefore ensure that the transition is supported by robust cybersecurity safeguards and adequate protection of citizens&#39; sensitive personal information.

Of greater concern is the financial burden this transition could impose. Under the existing official fee structure, a standard five-year electronic passport costs Rs9,000, twice the Rs4,500 charged for its machine-readable equivalent. A passport is an essential identification document, not a luxury reserved for those who can afford increasingly expensive government services. The authorities must also ensure that the changeover does not disrupt applications or recreate the backlogs that have previously plagued passport offices. The government must also demonstrate that its administrative machinery is capable of supporting the transition.]]>
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			<title>The PHL</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635400/the-phl</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635400/the-phl#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 26 19:30:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Fall from world-beating champions to struggling underdogs highlights a systemic collapse]]>
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				<![CDATA[The decline of Pakistan hockey, once the pride of a passionate nation, is a painful reality. A sport that formerly brought home multiple World Cup trophies and Olympic gold medals has now sunk so low that many fear there is no hope for recovery. The situation has grown deeply pathetic; Team Pakistan now routinely struggles against second-tier nations, while their victories against third-tier opponents are hardly convincing. For years, the green shirts have failed to even qualify for the very premier tournaments they used to rule.

This fall from world-beating champions to struggling underdogs highlights a systemic collapse. Crucially, the crisis cannot be blamed on a lack of legacy. Pakistan&#39;s legendary former players have stepped into coaching and managerial roles over the years, yet they have failed to help revive the sport&#39;s former glory. The rot is deeper than leadership; it is structural. According to current hockey authorities, the sport has been circulating among a stagnant pool of just 30 to 35 players for a long time. With virtually no quality replacements waiting in the wings, the national team has run out of fresh talent.

To reverse this trajectory, Pakistan must radically rebuild its hockey ecosystem. While modernising sporting facilities and infrastructure is critical, the absolute priority must be popularising the game at the grassroots level. Recognising this urgent need, a pivotal step has finally been taken. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has officially launched the Pakistan Hockey League (PHL).

Introduced at a formal ceremony in Islamabad, this league is a joint initiative between the PHF and a private marketing concern. The professional competition structure is explicitly designed to bring together international stars, local Pakistani talent, corporate sponsors and franchise team owners. By creating a commercial platform to inject financial investment and give local players elite exposure, the newly launched league is expected to serve as a fitting and much-needed foundation to revive the national sport and discover the next generation of champions.]]>
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			<title>Ceasefire façade</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635399/ceasefire-facade</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2635399/ceasefire-facade#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 26 19:30:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Israel's continued military aggression has rendered the ceasefire little more than a diplomatic facade]]>
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				<![CDATA[A ceasefire under which children continue to be slaughtered is an affront to humanity and a mockery of international diplomacy. More than 340 Palestinian children have reportedly been killed in Gaza since the cessation of hostilities was announced over a year ago. Hundreds more have been wounded, some permanently maimed. That Israeli strikes and gunfire continue to claim innocent lives while the world speaks of peace is a disgrace that should weigh heavily on the conscience of every government that endorsed the agreement.

Israel&#39;s continued military aggression has rendered the ceasefire little more than a diplomatic facade. Its repeated invocation of security concerns cannot justify the killing of children or diminish its obligations under international humanitarian law. The very idea that a ceasefire can coexist with the routine killing of civilians exposes the dangerous double standards governing the treatment of Palestinian lives. Particularly disturbing is UNICEF&#39;s finding that nearly half of the children reportedly killed since the truce have died near the so-called Yellow Line demarcating Israel&#39;s military presence. A boundary drawn on a military map cannot become a licence to kill. Nor can the alleged violations of a ceasefire by one party provide the other with immunity from accountability. Equally reprehensible is the international community&#39;s willingness to tolerate this continuing brutality. The powers that brokered and celebrated the ceasefire cannot absolve themselves of responsibility merely because an agreement was signed.

What is required is sustained diplomatic pressure and credible consequences for violations of international law. Above all, Israel must be compelled to cease unlawful attacks and permit the unrestricted delivery of essential humanitarian assistance. The world cannot continue congratulating itself on a peace process that has left Palestinian children exposed to death and deprivation.]]>
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