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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>Digital roll call</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620250/digital-roll-call</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620250/digital-roll-call#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 26 19:15:07 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Success of the e-transfer system offers reason for optimism about the digital enrolment system]]>
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				<![CDATA[This year, the Sindh government has been making impressive strides in education by introducing reliable, transparent systems through widespread digitisation. First, under the Sindh Secondary Education Improvement Project, it launched an initiative to shift examinations from manual marking to e-marking, alongside wider digitisation of the exam process. Then it launched an e-transfer system for government school teachers which has also completed at least one full transfer cycle. Now, it plans to digitise the student enrolment system by assigning a unique admission ID against students&#39; B-Forms.

Under this new initiative, enrolment records, academic performances and examination history would all be available for every student under a single, accessible digital system throughout their academic journey. This makes it much easier to track student progress and gauge any issues in their education before they grow into bigger problems that are harder to overturn. For example, students who are at risk of dropping out or have too many absences against their names can be provided school-led interventions to help bring them back on track. Moreover, a digital system will also deter fake enrolments for board examinations where a person sits for an exam under someone else&#39;s name in exchange of money. If every student&#39;s identity is tied to their B-Form from the first day of enrolment, it becomes much harder to insert a fake or duplicate candidate at exam time since the roll number would trace back to a verified NADRA identity rather than a paper form that&#39;s easy to forge.

The success of the e-transfer system offers reason for optimism about the digital enrolment system. If implemented with the same diligence, it could go a long way toward addressing the province&#39;s administrative weaknesses. But announcement and approval are only the first steps - real progress will depend on how consistently these systems are followed through to actual implementation.]]>
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			<title>Credit rating upgrade</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620249/credit-rating-upgrade</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620249/credit-rating-upgrade#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 26 19:15:06 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[S&amp;P has also warned that high debt-servicing costs, security risks and regional tensions]]>
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				<![CDATA[For the first time since 2016, Pakistan has regained a &#39;B&#39; sovereign credit rating from S&amp;P Global Ratings. The upgrade from our previous &#39;B-&#39; rating is proof of growing international confidence in our economy. A major factor behind the upgrade has been increased foreign reserves, which had dwindled to $6.7 billion in December 2022 but now stand at $25.3 billion. Tax revenue as a percentage of GDP is also up - though not as much as local and foreign experts would have liked. Meanwhile, the fiscal deficit situation continues to improve, coming down to 4% from almost 8% during FY2022-23.

S&amp;P Global noted that &quot;improved institutional stability&quot; and the successful implementation of IMF-backed reforms have contributed to the improving perception of Pakistan&#39;s economy, as have the recent Eurobond and Panda bond issuances. The upgrade reflects the success of painful but necessary economic policy decisions taken over the past few years. It should also lower borrowing costs, boost investor confidence and open doors to new financing opportunities.

However, it is also worth clarifying that a &#39;B&#39; rating is not particularly high on the scale. In fact, it is still below &#39;investment grade&#39; - meaning S&amp;P still considers Pakistan to be relatively high-risk for investors - and is only the 15th-highest of the 20 ratings on the scale. For comparison, India is currently rated &#39;BBB&#39; - which is considered an &quot;investment grade&quot; rating - and Bangladesh is rated &#39;B+&#39; despite its own economic and political upheaval in recent years. With this in mind, the rating upgrade is certainly notable, but not a &quot;significant milestone&quot; as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has suggested.

S&amp;P has also warned that high debt-servicing costs, security risks and regional tensions continue to constrain the country&#39;s credit profile, and any weakening of commitment to fiscal consolidation, a resurgence of interest rates or deterioration in external indicators could trigger a downgrade. This is why we need sustainable growth and genuine economic resilience to navigate the path ahead.]]>
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			<title>Modi's waning control</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620248/modis-waning-control</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620248/modis-waning-control#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 26 19:15:06 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Controversy began with the leak of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper]]>
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				<![CDATA[A ruling party built on a majority of over 300 seats has just discovered that street numbers can outweigh parliamentary ones. Dharmendra Pradhan&#39;s resignation as India&#39;s education minister on Saturday exposed an emerging fracture in the carefully cultivated image of an invincible BJP government. It is the fall of one man from Narendra Modi&#39;s cabinet. It is proof that a government seen as nearly impervious to public pressure can be made to bend, and that the instrument of that bending was a movement mocking itself by name, called the Cockroach Janata Party.

The controversy began with the leak of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper, a scandal that affected nearly two million aspiring medical students. For millions of young Indians, these examinations represent the only credible path towards social mobility. When that process was tainted by allegations of corruption and administrative failure, the issue quickly transcended education. It became a referendum on fairness and accountability in a system where opportunities are already scarce. For more than a decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s administration has projected itself as a model of discipline and political control. Yet it was compelled to sacrifice one of its own after weeks of sustained public pressure led by a youth movement that only months ago was dismissed as an online curiosity. The Indian government has tried to create the perception that meritocracy is the cornerstone of their educational advancement. That claim now becomes untenable. It is therefore unsurprising that what began as a protest against examination malpractice evolved into a wider indictment of governance.

Modi may think that replacing a minister may calm immediate political tempers, but it does not repair what has already been fractured. The youth have decided to hold their ground, and what this movement ultimately unfolds into remains to be seen.]]>
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			<title>Powering distrust</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620083/powering-distrust-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620083/powering-distrust-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 26 19:35:33 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Nearly 279,000 consumers received inflated bills]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s power sector has long been trapped in a vicious cycle of inefficiencies and mounting circular debt. Consumers have repeatedly been told that the only way to keep the system afloat is through higher tariffs and stricter recoveries. Yet the latest audit finding have revealed that distribution companies overbilled consumers by Rs47 billion in a single month.

Nearly 279,000 consumers received inflated bills, with Lahore Electric Supply Company accounting for the overwhelming majority of the overbilling. More troubling is the allegation that the exercise was a deliberate attempt by lower-level officials to hide electricity theft and line losses. The government has renegotiated contracts with independent power producers, reduced subsidies under IMF commitments and repeatedly pledged to tackle circular debt. Yet the weakest link in the chain has remained largely untouched. Distribution companies continue to post high transmission and distribution losses while recovery targets remain elusive in many regions. The burden, meanwhile, keeps shifting in one direction. Compliance cannot be sustained on coercion alone. It depends just as much on trust. The official response - that smart meters are being installed and that such complaints have subsided - is welcome but hardly reassuring. Pakistan has been hearing about smart metering for nearly two decades. True that technology can reduce human discretion, but it cannot compensate for weak institutions. The real issue is accountability.

The scandal also comes at a time when the government is pushing ahead with the privatisation of several DISCOs, arguing that private management will improve efficiency and reduce losses. Those responsible must face consequences proportionate to the damage caused. Apart from that, billing cannot remain a closed administrative process controlled solely by the distribution companies themselves. Meter readings and billing records should be fully digitised to minimise human discretion, while an independent regulator or third-party auditor should periodically verify their accuracy.]]>
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			<title>AI reckoning has arrived</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620082/ai-reckoning-has-arrived-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620082/ai-reckoning-has-arrived-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 26 19:35:33 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Attacks reportedly took place with no human direction]]>
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				<![CDATA[OpenAI&#39;s recent admission that its AI models went rogue, broke out of its test environment and hacked another AI company&#39;s systems seemed to be a cyberpunk story come to life. Unfortunately, the debate has mostly focused on how this could happen, rather than how this could be allowed to happen.

The attacks reportedly took place with no human direction - GPT-5.6 Sol and an even more powerful unreleased version acted on their own. OpenAI&#39;s CEO called the attack &quot;unprecedented&quot;, and even the victim company Hugging Face&#39;s CEO called it &quot;mind-blowing&quot;, reflecting their limited grasp of what just happened. What happened could have had disastrous real-world results. Cybersecurity is already weak in many parts of the world, and hackers regularly make off with huge ransoms after threatening critical systems. But unlike a human, an AI hacker will probably not want money, and could knock out an insecure power grid or hospital system just for kicks, causing widespread harm and suffering.

And while the event may have been unprecedented, it was by no means unexpected. It is the logical conclusion for an industry that has spent two decades following a mantra of &quot;move fast and break things&quot; - a philosophy Mark Zuckerberg popularised. The problem is that tech companies keep the money and power while everyone else bears the cost of what gets broken along the way. Facebook, for example, was used by regime supporters in Myanmar to amplify hate speech that fueled the genocide of the Rohingya. Similarly, Elon Musk&#39;s X has become central in stoking racist violence. Amnesty International&#39;s research shows X&#39;s algorithm prioritises posts that are likely to contain misinformation and hatred. Following the Southport attacks in the UK, false claims got 27 million views within 24 hours.

The tech industry clearly can&#39;t be allowed to self-regulate any longer. Companies that build systems that hack autonomously, amplify genocide and incite violence are not innovating. They are endangering the world. It is high time for governments to punish them for their reckless and criminal conduct.]]>
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			<title>Festering Afghan crisis</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620081/festering-afghan-crisis-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2620081/festering-afghan-crisis-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jul 26 19:35:33 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Dar, while citing over 560 civilian deaths in more than 2,000 terror incidents this year]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has consistently reminded the international community of the festering Afghan crisis and how terror outfits are playing havoc in the region. This point was once again reiterated by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the SCO Foreign Ministers&#39; Council meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, as he warned that the region is on the verge of a catastrophe. The ground reality is that outlawed entities are regrouping, and Kabul, unfortunately, has failed to act against them. Regional states, as well as the UN and several think tanks, have time and again documented the presence of Al-Qaeda, ISKP, TTP, and other terrorist entities inside Afghanistan that are acting with impunity across borders to further their nefarious designs. If such a clear threat is ignored by the comity of nations, it manifests a short-sighted realpolitik of grave concern and could collectively have a devastating impact.

Dar, while citing over 560 civilian deaths in more than 2,000 terror incidents this year, called for a strengthened counterterrorism mechanism for South and Central Asia. It is here that commitments made by member states have not yet been honoured. This is not only Pakistan&#39;s problem; this terror nexus has now spread into Central Asia and beyond. The onus is on the Taliban rulers to honour their commitments in line with the 2020 Doha Accord. That is the only way to ensure durable peace and stability in the region.

Unless Pakistan and other neighbouring states are insulated from the terrorism emanating from Afghan soil, nothing will change for the better. It must be remembered that multi-billion-dollar projects such as CASA-1000, TAPI, the BRI and several transnational railway initiatives remain in limbo owing to the instability in Afghanistan. This has squarely hampered the progression of geo-economics for a combined populace of around two billion people. Pakistan rightly took the opportunity to spell out at the SCO forum that regional intransigence is a threat to the solidarity and sovereignty of member states, warning against those who exploit instability to impose their hegemony. India&#39;s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and Kabul&#39;s snub to diplomatic treaties are cases in point.]]>
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			<title>Climate change and public health</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619879/climate-change-and-public-health</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619879/climate-change-and-public-health#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 26 19:03:58 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Tragedy of infectious diseases is further compounded by inequity]]>
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				<![CDATA[Climate scientists and activists have long alerted the world to the perils of climate change that extend far beyond melting glaciers and rising temperatures. When the equilibrium of the planet is disturbed, its ripple effects reach every facet of life - especially public health. Over the span of four years, nearly one million infectious disease cases have been found in just three coastal districts of Pakistan.

A new study on Thatta, Sujawal and Badin districts of Sindh has confirmed an old suspicion of residents: disease outbreaks in these delta communities are aligned with the calendar of monsoons and heatwaves, synthesising with the decades-old problems of hygiene and limited hospital capacity. As temperature, humidity and rainfall rise, so do diarrhoea, malaria, typhoid and dysentery. Climate change in Pakistan has stopped being a distant threat long ago but now it&#39;s showing up as a present, measurable public health emergency which rings even louder warning bells for policymakers.

The tragedy of infectious diseases is further compounded by inequity. These regions are among Sindh&#39;s poorest districts where clean drinking water remains scarce, and sanitation infrastructure is decades behind. A lot of communicable diseases are waterborne, spread by impure water. Therefore, when floods strike - as they did devastatingly in 2022 - these communities are hit twice. First, by the treacherous water, then by the diseases it leaves behind.

Although it is encouraging that researchers have identified an actionable path forward, its efficacy is solely dependent on the government&#39;s willingness to adopt it consistently. It can start by integrating meteorological forecasting directly into public health surveillance, allowing districts to become proactive in dealing with outbreaks. Medical supplies, oral rehydration salts and antimalarials must also be made available ahead of the monsoon season. And the infrastructure in such regions must also be treated as a health priority rather than an urban development.]]>
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			<title>Terror by design</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619878/terror-by-design</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619878/terror-by-design#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 26 19:03:58 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan must adopt and consistently enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards this form of terrorism]]>
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				<![CDATA[The violence that has engulfed Mastung over the past several days is part of a deliberate campaign to destabilise Balochistan by spreading fear among ordinary citizens and attacking the institutions that uphold the writ of the state. This is terrorism in its clearest form, designed not merely to kill but to convince people that nowhere is safe and no institution is beyond reach.

The assassination yesterday of a district and sessions judge and his security guard represents a dangerous escalation in this campaign. Judges occupy a unique position in any democratic society. To target a judicial officer is to attack the very foundation of the legal system. The timing of this attack is also difficult to ignore. Only days after BYC chief Mahrang Baloch and other leaders were convicted, one of their close associates issued a provocative statement on social media explicitly inciting hostility against judges.

This and other such attacks are entirely consistent with the BLA&#39;s increasingly brutal tactics. Over the years, the group&#39;s attacks have extended far beyond security personnel to encompass government employees and civilians who have no role in any armed conflict. Wednesday&#39;s attack on a Karachi-bound passenger coach in Mastung, which claimed innocent lives, and the simultaneous destruction of a bridge on the National Highway further demonstrate that the objective is to cause maximum disruption and public panic. Any movement that deliberately murders civilians and seeks to paralyse public life forfeits any moral legitimacy.

There can be no ambiguity, and certainly no political equivocation, when confronted with organisations that deliberately murder civilians. Pakistan must adopt and consistently enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards this form of terrorism. Those who plan, facilitate, finance or glorify such attacks must face the full force of the law. Every attack on civilians is ultimately an attack on the province&#39;s future.]]>
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			<title>Dangerous new front</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619877/dangerous-new-front</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619877/dangerous-new-front#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 26 19:03:58 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has led from the front in lambasting this high-seas piracy by the Houthis]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Houthis are endangering navigational traffic in the Bab El-Mandeb Strait. Their naval blockade of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea is ultra vires under international law. This appears to be an act of desperation by the Yemeni militia as it seeks to settle scores amidst regional warfare. Thus, the Houthis&#39; attack on two Saudi oil tankers is condemnable and must be halted immediately. Reportedly, one of the vessels is on fire after being hit by cruise and ballistic missiles. The strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a critical artery for Middle Eastern trade with the Mediterranean and beyond; its closure could severely disrupt global supply lines.

Pakistan has led from the front in lambasting this high-seas piracy by the Houthis, and has offered its unequivocal support to Saudi Arabia. While Islamabad has a mutual defence pact with Riyadh, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a telephonic conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reiterated that Saudi Arabia has the right to self-defence if its maritime interests are targeted in any hostile act.

The Foreign Office too on Wednesday extended Pakistan&#39;s unconditional support to the Kingdom, saying that &quot;such actions threaten regional security, undermine freedom of navigation, challenge the rules-based maritime order and jeopardise uninterrupted flow of global commerce.&quot; Pakistan&#39;s statement is by far the strongest issued by any non-Arab country on the Houthi threats.

This new front in the Middle East conflict is unnerving and demands an immediate regional response to rein in the Houthis. With the Strait of Hormuz entangled in a web of warfare, uncertainty and near-unnavigability, this Red Sea outlet must remain open to international traffic. The continuation of hostilities - in violation of the 60-day ceasefire reached between the US and Iran on June 17 - poses an existential threat, underscoring the need to revert to diplomacy. The method in this madness, as Iran strikes at Gulf States in retaliation for the US offensive on its territory, is only expanding the theater of war. This added layer of Houthi brinkmanship is far too dangerous to be tolerated for even a single day.]]>
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			<title>Cockroach party protest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619687/cockroach-party-protest</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619687/cockroach-party-protest#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 26 19:28:36 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Several opposition parties and apolitical activists have expressed support for the protesters and their goals]]>
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				<![CDATA[India&#39;s farcical claims regarding its democratic credentials are being laid bare by the government&#39;s response to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), whose peaceful protests continue to gain steam, despite the government&#39;s violent attempts to suppress them.

CJP started as a satirical protest movement whose name is derived from an offensive comment about unemployed young people made by the incumbent Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant. However, the Indian state&#39;s apathy towards the CJP&#39;s genuine concerns led it to peacefully protest against the regime, primarily over its mismanagement of university entrance exams. The protesters at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi are demanding the resignation of the education minister as well as justice for people who committed suicide because of the testing fiasco, which was a repeat of another exam debacle that occurred in 2024.

Several opposition parties and apolitical activists have expressed support for the protesters and their goals. The government&#39;s response was initially controlled, but it became more authoritarian as the crowds grew, with baton-charging crackdowns and the arrest of clearly non-violent protesters over trumped-up charges. A journalist asking why protesters were being manhandled was also promptly hit with a baton. And despite extensive evidence of police violence, including footage and reliable eyewitness testimony, the police, BJP leaders and the godi media are blaming the protesters. In their view, the footage of policemen hitting protesters with batons actually shows terrorists destroying government property with their skulls.

But not everyone has been brainwashed by the BJP propaganda. Modi and his government can try all they want to reframe facts into narratives that they can feed an unsuspecting public, but if demands for accountability keep being ignored, the growing number of victims of this regime will hit a breaking point. Maybe they already have.]]>
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			<title>Guarding Nadra</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619686/guarding-nadra</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619686/guarding-nadra#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 26 19:28:36 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[There can be no room for leniency in offences that strike at the foundations of the state]]>
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				<![CDATA[A national database is only as trustworthy as the people entrusted to protect it. That is why the tempering of Nadra&#39;s records, according to FIA, to facilitate the issuance of fraudulent identity documents to Afghan nationals is an attack on the integrity of one of Pakistan&#39;s most vital state institutions. Just for temporary monetary gains and bribes, those at the helm allegedly manipulated a database upon which the entire state machinery depends on.

For years, Nadra has stood apart from many public institutions because of its technological sophistication and institutional credibility. It has earned recognition from international organisations for developing a robust biometric identity system that has strengthened governance and improved the delivery of public services. It is the backbone of everything from voter registration and passport issuance to banking, taxation, pensions, social welfare and disaster relief. The credibility of countless government functions rests on the assumption that Nadra&#39;s database is secure and beyond manipulation. That assumption now stands shaken. What makes the allegations particularly disturbing is that they involve those responsible for safeguarding the system. Pakistan has invested billions of rupees in building a sophisticated digital infrastructure. Yet no technological safeguard can compensate for compromised human beings. The strongest firewall is rendered meaningless when the threat comes from within. The implications are even more serious given Pakistan&#39;s current security environment, which continues to grapple with cross-border militancy and heightened regional tensions.

There can be no room for leniency in offences that strike at the foundations of the state. Those responsible for manipulating Pakistan&#39;s national identity system should face exemplary punishment, not merely to penalise individual wrongdoing but to deter anyone who may view access to the database as an opportunity for illicit enrichment. Nadra, one of Pakistan&#39;s greatest institutional successes, must not be allowed to become another casualty of corruption. It demands an uncompromising zero-tolerance policy against corruption.]]>
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			<title>Vibes for talks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619685/vibes-for-talks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619685/vibes-for-talks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 26 19:28:35 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[The ongoing conflict, which stands in utter violation of the 60-day ceasefire agreed between the warring sides]]>
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				<![CDATA[The optimism exhibited by the warring sides pledging their faith in diplomacy offers a ray of hope in adversity. Secretary of State Marco Rubio&#39;s assertion that Washington is ready to talk things out with Tehran - provided the Islamic Republic gives up its nuclear obsession and refrains from exercising hegemony over the Strait of Hormuz - could be a solid beginning for a return to the negotiating table. Likewise, Supreme Leader Syed Mojtaba Khamenei&#39;s observation that a &#39;no war, no peace&#39; status quo is unwarranted provides enough common ground for the adversaries to silence their guns and give diplomacy a chance. The prerequisite, nonetheless, as stated by Pakistan and Qatar, is to return to the July 6 modus operandi and allow the good offices of mediators to resume fence-mending exercises in the wider interest of peace and security.

The ongoing conflict, which stands in utter violation of the 60-day ceasefire agreed between the warring sides, must come to an end. The way forward for Iran and the US is to focus on the broader picture of reconciliation - particularly the dividends it will yield for global stability. Tehran&#39;s decision to strike Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan with missiles in retaliation for Washington&#39;s trigger-happiness is proving disastrous. Oil prices are spiking, surpassing $95 a barrel and plunging the global supply chain into a severe crisis.

A quick fix to the prevailing standoff could be an independent regulatory mechanism over the Strait until both sides reach a perpetual deal. This is the only way to stem the rot, preventing the US and Iran from picking an undesired fight over the water channel and endangering commercial vessels and seamen alike. It is a matter of grave concern that over the past 24 hours, only nine vessels were able to pass through the strategic water route that caters to 20% of global trade.

The goodwill demonstrated by the Iranian foreign and interior ministers during their recent visits to Pakistan must act as a catalyst for resuming talks. A muting of war rhetoric by the IRGC and White House, however, is an unavoidable CBM at this point]]>
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			<title>Delayed justice</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619518/delayed-justice</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619518/delayed-justice#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:06:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Such delays undermine confidence in the justice system and diminish the value of legal remedies]]>
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				<![CDATA[Justice delayed may not always amount to justice denied, but it inevitably comes at a cost that no court order can fully repair. More than three decades after a Karachi Transport Corporation (KTC) bus struck and permanently disabled a young pedestrian, a civil court has finally ordered the Sindh government to pay Rs10 million in compensation to the victim. The verdict is significant because it sends a clear message that negligent driving and institutional irresponsibility carry consequences.

The judgment is important because it reinforces the principle of accountability. Reckless driving is frequently dismissed as an unfortunate accident rather than the predictable outcome of negligence. Every year, countless families lose loved ones or see them permanently disabled. Yet meaningful accountability remains rare. Criminal prosecutions are often delayed and civil claims languish for years while victims are left to shoulder the financial and emotional burden alone. A substantial compensation award changes that calculus. It establishes that those responsible cannot simply move on after causing irreversible harm. Financial liability may not restore a lost limb or a lost life, but it does create a deterrent. Equally, it reminds government agencies that they cannot evade responsibility. Yet while the judgment deserves to be welcomed, it is impossible to overlook the extraordinary delay. The accident occurred in 1992. The lawsuit was filed in 1994. The final decision arrived only after the case was transferred following amendments to the Sindh Civil Courts Act, more than three decades later. By then, an entire generation had passed.

Such delays undermine confidence in the justice system and diminish the value of legal remedies. Compensation awarded after 30 years is not the same as compensation awarded when it could have meaningfully supported rehabilitation and treatment.]]>
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			<title>And now Burnham</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619517/and-now-burnham</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619517/and-now-burnham#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:06:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Burnham's first step - setting out a 10-year plan - suggests he is at least hoping to win reelection]]>
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				<![CDATA[Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham strode through the gates of Buckingham Palace on Monday and into 10 Downing Street as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the seventh person to have held the post in the past decade. He began the day by chopping mushrooms at a homeless shelter - signaling his desire to make homelessness one of his signature issues - before meeting with the king to formally accept the premiership. Hours later, he was on the phone with US President Donald Trump, discussing the FIFA World Cup and the Hormuz Strait.

As Mayor of Manchester, Burnham established a reputation as an everyman. His speech outside No 10 continued to build on that image - no lectern, no notes, no teleprompter. And it began with a striking admission of the revolving-door nature of his job. &quot;I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last ten years to walk up this street, the seventh prime minister since 2016,&quot; he told the nation before outlining his vision for the future.

Why that matters is because Burnham&#39;s predecessor, Keir Starmer, was widely derided for lacking vision. Burnham, just by virtue of having a plan, is already looking to be one of the best British prime ministers in a decade. With only three years to the next election and the far-right Reform Party leading in the polls, it is up to him to make sure that Britain can break out of the cycle of political turbulence in which it has been trapped since the Brexit referendum in 2016. If he fails, it will only increase cynicism among voters.

Indeed, Burnham&#39;s first step - setting out a 10-year plan - suggests he is at least hoping to win reelection, which would not only require hitting the ground running, but also successfully projecting any achievements, which is another thing that critics say the Starmer cabinet failed to do.]]>
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			<title>Grand dialogue a must</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619516/grand-dialogue-a-must</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619516/grand-dialogue-a-must#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 26 19:06:00 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[PTI, TTAP and the government would be better advised to make their positions clear]]>
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				<![CDATA[PTI&#39;s offer of a national grand dialogue is worth appreciating and must pave the way for addressing the lingering political instability. The onus, however, is on the coalition government to take the extra few steps towards extending an olive branch to the opposition. That, of course, entails providing them with their due political space, letting the law take its course without any coercion in deciding the pending litigations, and subsequently releasing political prisoners including Imran Khan. That is neither an impossible task to attain nor an ill-advised route to undertake if reconciliation is to be ensured in the larger national interest.

The point is that all previous attempts to talk it out could not see the light of day because of preconditions from both sides. Thus, PTI Secretary-General Salman Akram Raja&#39;s call for a huddle involving all political parties, the security establishment, civil society and other stakeholders is an opportunity in disaster to move forward. The roadmap should be to restore the confidence of the masses in Parliament, establish the writ of the law and undo the discrepancies that have undermined the supremacy of the judiciary.

This time around, PTI&#39;s call for talks carries a spirit of adaptability. It has categorically said that it will &quot;not talk to the powers-that-be&quot; and at the same time will not &quot;compromise&quot; on constitutional rights. This is a departure from its earlier stance, as the party was adamant that it would only talk to those who matter, derailing all attempts for a political dialogue. As this initiative has come on the eve of a proposed street agitation marking the third year of the PTI chief&#39;s incarceration, it should lead to some ice-breaking, causing the political mercury to come down.

PTI, TTAP and the government would be better advised to make their positions clear and let a grand rapprochement set in. The evolving regional situation marred by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has made life miserable for commoners due to the resulting rise in oil prices. Moreover, a spike in terror incidents is further crippling the situation at home. The country cannot afford political bickering anymore.]]>
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			<title>Habit or crisis?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619334/habit-or-crisis</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619334/habit-or-crisis#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 26 19:41:22 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619334</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Widespread use of gutka, mawa, paan, chhalia and other tobacco products is contributing to this increase]]>
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				<![CDATA[The comical mimicry of an average Karachi man notoriously involves a muffled, sibilant speech with a lot of rolled r&#39;s to replicate their manner of speaking as they chew on chhalia (betelnut) as part of their daily routine. The habit of consuming tobacco products has become so ingrained in society that, for a most part, it represents its culture. Similarly in the rest of Sindh, street corners and roadside kiosks almost always have people lingering &ndash; some holding a cigarette, others enjoying a paan. The morbid result of these practices is now starting to show in healthcare statistics as roughly a 25% increase in oral cancers throughout the province, particularly among young people.

According to healthcare professionals, the widespread use of gutka, mawa, paan, chhalia and other tobacco products is contributing to this increase - an emergency made all the more dire by the country&#39;s distinct lack of dedicated cancer hospitals. What currently exists in the province is a list of private-run or donation-based institutions and even they do not necessarily offer comprehensive cancer care. Some offer radiation therapy but lack the proper equipment and experience for chemotherapy or palliative care for all types of cancers under one roof.

This is despite the fact that 65,886 oral cancer cases were recorded in Sindh in the span of four years - just by the Karachi Cancer Registry. Thousands of patients every year struggle with footing private bills that disrupt their entire lives, and that is if they gain access to quality treatment in the first place.

Undoubtedly, the provincial government must address the root cause of the problem by increasing taxes on tobacco products and incentivising addiction treatment. But while this long-term plan springs into action, it first urgently needs to provide comprehensive cancer treatment that is affordable and accessible for people from all classes and social groups.]]>
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			<title>Spanish domination</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619333/spanish-domination</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619333/spanish-domination#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 26 19:41:22 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Spain took twenty shots to Argentina's three]]>
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				<![CDATA[Spain has won its second World Cup, and the scoreline flatters Argentina more than the match did. A single goal from Ferran Torres in the 106th minute settled Sunday&#39;s final at MetLife Stadium in New York, but the number on the board understates what happened on the field.

Spain took twenty shots to Argentina&#39;s three. Spain held nearly two-thirds of possession. Spain dictated tempo from the first whistle to the last, and only a heroic goalkeeping performance from Emiliano Mart&iacute;nez, twelve saves in all, a World Cup final record, kept the margin from turning embarrassing. This was domination that the scoreboard tried to hide. Argentina arrived as defending champions with Lionel Messi at the forefront. Sentiment favoured a fairytale ending. Football did not oblige. Spain&#39;s football, built on patient possession and positional discipline, has now beaten every kind of opponent this tournament could offer, including a France side with Mbappe in irresistible form in the semi-final.

That tension between control and conversion defined the tournament as a whole. Expanded to 48 teams for the first time, the World Cup delivered genuine romance, with smaller footballing nations reaching stages previously closed to them, and genuine bloat, with a longer schedule, heavier travel burden across three host countries, and group-stage matches whose outcomes occasionally invited suspicion of convenient results. Ticket pricing drew its own criticism, with demand-based costs pushing marquee matches beyond the reach of ordinary supporters the tournament claims to serve.

Officiating, however, dominated the conversation more than any single match. VAR was meant to remove doubt from football. Instead it relocated the doubt from the pitch to the review room, and this tournament made clear that a human being still sits at the end of every review.]]>
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			<title>Bracing for a new movement</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619332/bracing-for-a-new-movement</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619332/bracing-for-a-new-movement#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Jul 26 19:41:22 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619332</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Grievances listed by the Lawyers Action Committee are worth pondering]]>
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				<![CDATA[The decision to launch a nationwide lawyers&#39; movement in protest against the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments could be a game-changer on the political canvas. Ali Ahmed Kurd, the famed orator of the 2007 judicial uprising, is at the vanguard, backed by two dozen office-bearers from various bar associations. However, with the opposition marginalised, the extent to which this movement can build momentum remains uncertain. Likewise, the independent group lacks the broader support of the SCBA and PBC, whose members are closely aligned with the government&#39;s narrative. That said, the bulldozed legislation has altered the spirit of the 1973 Constitution, effectively subordinating the superior judiciary to the executive. Thus, a professionally choreographed movement could, at the very least, help reform the judicial process rather than acting as a destabilising force.

Nonetheless, the grievances listed by the Lawyers Action Committee are worth pondering. They claim that the recent constitutional amendments have &quot;wreaked havoc&quot; on the justice system; undermined the fairness of the process for appointing high court judges; compromised the independence of the superior judiciary by creating a parallel tier at the apex court; and enhanced the influence of the executive through &quot;court packing&quot;. The Committee also made a political statement by calling for investigating &quot;excesses&quot; committed in Balochistan, AJK, and G-B, alongside seeking the release of all political prisoners. Ultimately, the bottom line is to restore the rule of law and independence of the judiciary.

While the timeline for action has been set for after the courts&#39; summer vacations, it remains to be seen how much traction the movement will gain from civil society, political parties, and the legal community itself. For many, this brings a sense of d&eacute;j&agrave; vu, recalling the lawyers taking to the streets for the restoration of the chief justice nearly two decades ago. The ground reality, however, is markedly different this time; the judicial fraternity is highly fractured, while a disillusioned public remains bogged down by socio-economic miseries.]]>
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			<title>Borrowing time</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619182/borrowing-time</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619182/borrowing-time#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 26 19:20:30 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has become accustomed to celebrating each successful loan rollover as though it were an economic achievement]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has become accustomed to celebrating each successful loan rollover as though it were an economic achievement. It is not. It is merely a reprieve. That the government borrowed over $27 billion in foreign financing during the last fiscal year should prompt a broader debate about whether the borrowed funds are creating the economic capacity needed to reduce future dependence on debt.

Yet the most troubling aspect is the destination. Nearly nine out of every ten dollars were consumed by budget financing, debt repayments and shoring up foreign exchange reserves. Barely $3.4 billion found its way into development projects capable of generating future growth and export earnings. There are, of course, circumstances that cannot be ignored. Pakistan inherited a fragile external position after years of economic instability and tightening financial conditions. Avoiding sovereign default was, and remains, an overriding priority. The government&#39;s strategy of securing IMF support while obtaining rollovers from longstanding partners such as China and Saudi Arabia has undoubtedly bought valuable time and helped restore a measure of macroeconomic stability. These gains deserve recognition. But buying time is only worthwhile if that time is used wisely. The figures suggest that Pakistan is still borrowing largely to service yesterday&#39;s obligations rather than investing in tomorrow&#39;s capacity. Commercial borrowing at relatively high interest rates and deposits carrying annual returns of 4-6% provide breathing space but also increase future repayment burdens. As maturities shorten and financing requirements remain elevated, every approaching deadline becomes another test of creditor confidence.

Fiscal consolidation must distinguish between wasteful expenditure and essential investment. The country cannot borrow its way to prosperity. Neither can it abruptly withdraw fiscal support without risking economic disruption. Loan rollovers may keep the economy afloat, but only reforms can finally steer it towards safer waters.]]>
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			<title>When policy ignores paychecks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619183/when-policy-ignores-paychecks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619183/when-policy-ignores-paychecks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 26 19:20:31 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619183</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh's government raised the minimum wage to Rs43,000 this year]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh&#39;s government raised the minimum wage to Rs43,000 this year. On paper, that should mean that all workers unequivocally receive a basic level of dignity in their salaries. But unfortunately, for nearly 30,000 teachers in schools that are funded by the Sindh Education Foundation, it hasn&#39;t changed much. Many teachers are still earning barely Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 a month - nowhere even near what the law requires.

This is not a minor oversight without significant consequences. The gap between what is required and what is paid is the difference between a family living paycheck to paycheck and one that can afford some sense of stability. In Pakistan&#39;s private school sector, we already know what happens when teachers are underpaid and overworked. They burn out, leave after some time and disengage from their teaching practices. Classrooms become mere structures rather than nurturing, learning environments for students. Moreover, women make up the majority of these low-paid roles, when they&#39;re already battling a glass ceiling in most fields. Here, that barrier doesn&#39;t just limit how far they can rise, it pushes them further down and concentrates them in the most insecure and least valued jobs with little room to negotiate or move further.

The solution isn&#39;t complicated. SEF has already written the rules - it just needs to enforce them. Payroll audits should be as routine and thorough as attendance checks. And if schools genuinely can&#39;t afford to pay fair wages, then the per-student funding model needs to be revisited. Public money meant for education shouldn&#39;t quietly depend on teachers accepting poverty wages. When that happens, it&#39;s not efficiency - it&#39;s simply exploitation that is dressed up as policy. There must also be clear timelines, transparent reporting and consequences for non-compliance, so that violations are not normalised and teachers are not left waiting indefinitely for rights already guaranteed to them.]]>
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			<title>Healthcare dilemma</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619184/healthcare-dilemma-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619184/healthcare-dilemma-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Jul 26 19:20:31 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619184</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh province has one of the most precarious healthcare systems in the country]]>
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				<![CDATA[It is a given that Sindh province has one of the most precarious healthcare systems in the country. It is also ironic that Karachi, despite being the nation&#39;s growth engine, lacks adequate infrastructure to address ailments and preventive medicine. The reason is simple: consecutive governments have lacked the will to walk the talk, and no sizeable investments have been made in the health sector. Out of a provincial budget of Rs3.56 trillion, roughly 11%, or Rs393.16 billion, has been allocated to healthcare for FY27 - to serve around 57 million people.

Many health issues in Sindh are directly linked to social taboos, poor hygienic standards and hazardous practices among the populace, such as the mass consumption of tobacco, gutka and mainpuri. A plethora of legislation has been unable to crack down on either these dreadful traders or the gutka consumers. It is shocking to note that 24.3% of the population in Sindh uses tobacco, betel nuts, and other smokeless toxins.

It is, likewise, horrifying to note that the number of thalassemia patients is on the rise across Sindh. More than 25,000 children are living with this inherited blood disorder, of whom only 11,000 are registered with public and private entities. Similarly, notwithstanding a ban on the sale and promotion of infant formula, synthetic milk is being sold over the counter. This makes a mockery of breastfeeding laws, which mandate a fine of Rs500,000 and imprisonment for sales made without a paediatric prescription. Only 52% of mothers in Pakistan breastfeed their children, while the rest rely on milk supplements. The result is obvious: more than 41.3% of children in Sindh are underweight, and roughly 3 million are stunted.

Last but not least is the dilemma of coping with typhoid, malaria, measles and other contagious diseases across this unevenly developed province, causing health risks to persist and preventable illnesses to spread with impunity. The way forward is to ensure stringent implementation of existing laws and to evolve community-based healthcare by investing appropriately in preventive medicine.]]>
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			<title>Stepping stone</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619002/stepping-stone</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619002/stepping-stone#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 26 19:09:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619002</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Increasing IT exports will need further government support]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s IT exports hit a new record in the recently ended fiscal year, crossing $4.6 billion, and monthly exports hit $416 million in June. The new record amount represents a 21% increase over the past fiscal year, while the June figure was up 23% year-on-year. Technology is now the country&#39;s largest services export, representing 46% of the sector. Meanwhile, the trade surplus on technology was a whopping $3.9 billion, which is also the largest among all service sectors.

But it is also worth remembering that all of these achievements represent just a tiny fraction of what is possible. The global IT services outsourcing market is projected at approximately $462 billion in 2026, and is expected to double within the decade. Meanwhile, India, which has about six times our population, has over 43 times our IT exports. While it makes sense for the government to keep growth targets in check, the conservative targets are actually very understated. Even if we face strong headwinds, our young population and ever-growing workforce of IT graduates have already come together to build one of the world&#39;s largest freelancer communities. In fact, freelancers generated over $1 billion in export earnings this year. Freelancers and firms alike have been looking beyond the traditional Western hubs and tapping markets in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere.

But increasing IT exports will need further government support, not necessarily in the form of major financial investment, but through ease of doing business reforms that remove structural barriers, most notably access to international payment channels and improvements to internet infrastructure. Such improvements will be relatively inexpensive, while also having the potential to be the catalyst for exponential economic benefits. At a business level, IT requires almost no imported materials beyond hardware and a reliable internet connection. This is Pakistan&#39;s most democratic export industry, and its most scalable.]]>
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			<title>Waiting for climate justice</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619001/waiting-for-climate-justice</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619001/waiting-for-climate-justice#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 26 19:09:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619001</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Wealthier nations have repeatedly pledged solidarity while falling short on financial commitments]]>
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				<![CDATA[Climate change has become Pakistan&#39;s defining development challenge, yet the global financial architecture created to help vulnerable countries continues to move at a pace that bears little resemblance to the urgency of the crisis. The latest decision by the Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage to delay its first disbursements until the end of the year is indicative of the fact that while climate disasters arrive without warning, international climate finance remains entangled in procedural caution and political hesitation.

The reasons for the delay are understandable but no less troubling. The Fund has received 176 proposals from 119 developing countries seeking a combined $2.8 billion, while only $250 million has been earmarked for the first round of grants under its pilot phase. Even with nearly $500 million pledged, the available resources are only a fraction of what is required. This is the sheer scale of climate-induced destruction confronting vulnerable nations across the world. Demand has exposed the uncomfortable truth that the world&#39;s flagship loss-and-damage mechanism is dramatically underfunded before it has even begun operating. Each passing year brings with it new waves of destruction that compounds the financial burden on Pakistan&#39;s already constrained economy.

Wealthier nations have repeatedly pledged solidarity while falling short on financial commitments. The longstanding promise to mobilise $100 billion annually for climate finance took years to materialise and has itself faced criticism over accounting methods and accessibility. Now, the Loss and Damage Fund risks following a similar trajectory unless developed economies substantially increase contributions. A mechanism created to address the consequences of climate injustice cannot fulfil its mandate if it remains dependent on modest voluntary pledges that barely scratch the surface of actual needs.]]>
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			<title>GSP gains and challenges</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619000/gsp-gains-and-challenges</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2619000/gsp-gains-and-challenges#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 Jul 26 19:09:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2619000</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Both general elections since the status was granted have been mired in controversy]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s relationship with the European Union under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) has been nothing short of transformative. As the scheme&#39;s largest beneficiary, Pakistan recorded 7.5 billion in GSP+ eligible exports to the EU in 2024, with tariff exemptions worth approximately 732 million. The EU now accounts for 28% of Pakistan&#39;s total exports, making this preferential market access a lifeline for our economy. And the GSP+ arrangement has not only delivered on its promise of increasing trade and creating jobs, it has also placed pressure on the government to improve its governance and human rights records.

It is true that our compliance record with GSP+ conditions has been patchy. Both general elections since the status was granted have been mired in controversy. Our human rights record remains less than sterling, and personal freedoms, including media freedom, are still a long way from ideal. However, there has been legislation and groundwork to improve in many areas, including minority rights and the use of torture and other inhuman punishments. Unfortunately, some critics of the government - both at home and abroad - have been expending massive amounts of time, energy and money to paint a picture of Pakistan that is so divorced from reality that it could be laughable, if not for the fact that their propaganda could put thousands of Pakistanis&#39; livelihoods at risk.

The government certainly has to up its game if it is to maintain compliance with the revised GSP framework that takes effect on January 1, 2027. Most of the requirements are unquestionably good, not just for the EU, but for the people of Pakistan. Coming into compliance and then exceeding the benchmarks is a win-win. But change will invariably be incremental. In the meantime, critics need to look beyond their myopic political goals and focus on what is good for the country. Trying to undermine the whole economy for political ends is not the wise path forward for anybody who wants Pakistan to succeed.]]>
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			<title>The cost of staying</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618843/the-cost-of-staying</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618843/the-cost-of-staying#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 26 19:52:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618843</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan, in coordination with European Union, has surely taken effective steps to combat crisis of illegal migration]]>
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				<![CDATA[&quot;No one leaves home, unless home is the mouth of a shark,&quot; wrote a British-Somali poet named Warsan Shire - 14 years before one of the deadliest maritime incidents in the Mediterranean took the lives of 207 Pakistani migrants hoping to land in Italy. Imagine this: you&#39;re one of around 750 migrants cramped together in a trawler meant for 400 people, trying to illegally cross international borders without a single lifejacket onboard. When the probability of disaster increases, you refuse help because you haven&#39;t yet reached your destination - not once, not twice but thrice. What would compel you to do so?

&quot;No one would leave home unless home chased you,&quot; reads another line of the poem. It is evident that those who lost their lives were being chased, because the 2023 incident was neither the beginning nor the end. In the past four years, a total of 335 Pakistani migrants have died while attempting to reach Europe through illegal channels. These are people escaping poverty, unemployment, glass ceilings, and little to no opportunities for upward mobility.

Pakistan, in coordination with the European Union, has surely taken effective steps to combat the crisis of illegal migration. During just the first two months of 2026, illegal migration fell by 64% owing to stricter measures. But it needs to reflect further on why people are willing to put their children in peril for the smallest glimmer of hope. Failure here belongs to the state - its failure to generate employment, failure to provide skill development, failure to uplift its citizens.

Curbing illegal migration is a win for the state, not its citizens. By doing so, it manages its reputation, curbs innocent deaths on its watch and cleans its slate. Those who now can&#39;t leave are stuck bearing the cost of living in an unliveable land.]]>
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			<title>Embrace AI</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618842/embrace-ai</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618842/embrace-ai#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 26 19:52:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618842</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Businesses are using AI to improve productivity and competitiveness]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s decision to become a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) should be seen as more than another diplomatic milestone. It presents an opportunity to reposition the country within one of the most consequential technological revolutions of the century. Membership of a global AI platform has little value if it remains confined to official communiqu&eacute;s and international conferences. Its real significance will depend on whether Pakistan uses this moment to accelerate AI adoption at home.

The pace of technological change leaves little room for complacency. Governments across the world are integrating AI into public services. Businesses are using AI to improve productivity and competitiveness, while universities are redesigning curricula to equip graduates with skills that did not exist a decade ago. Pakistan cannot afford to remain on the sidelines while others determine both the technology and the standards governing its use. The country&#39;s youthful population and expanding digital ecosystem provide a foundation that should be supported through investment in computing infrastructure and AI literacy. Equally important is ensuring that Pakistan&#39;s participation in WAICO translates into meaningful influence. As a founding member, the country has an opportunity to contribute to discussions on AI governance and ethical standards from the perspective of the Global South. Such engagement would strengthen the country&#39;s diplomatic profile while creating opportunities for collaboration.

Yet technological advancement cannot succeed without public confidence. AI continues to be surrounded by exaggerated claims and misinformation. Rumours that AI will inevitably replace all jobs, function without human oversight or become an uncontrollable force have fuelled unnecessary fear and scepticism. While AI will undoubtedly reshape labour markets, it is more likely to transform the nature of work than eliminate the need for human expertise altogether.]]>
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			<title>At the brink of all-out war</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618841/at-the-brink-of-all-out-war</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618841/at-the-brink-of-all-out-war#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 26 19:52:08 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618841</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Contestation warrants the opening of new avenues for talks]]>
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				<![CDATA[Tensions have escalated into open conflict once again after both the US and Iran called off their ceasefire. Tehran has reported mass casualties following US airstrikes that allegedly targeted civilian infrastructure, including bridges and an airport. With President Trump bent upon playing to the gallery - as he warns of more strikes to posture his leadership assertiveness ahead of the midterm primaries - a global meltdown on economic and strategic fronts is widely feared. The Strait of Hormuz is closed, sending oil prices spiralling by another 2%. More trouble is apparently yet to come, as the Houthis plan to shut down the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, technically rupturing oil, gas and cargo supplies on both flanks of the Mediterranean.

Iran&#39;s decision to strike alleged terrorist hideouts in Iraq&#39;s autonomous Kurdistan region has intensified regional warmongering. Kurdistan Presidency condemned the actions as outrageous after Iranian drones were shot down over Erbil. Likewise, a surge in attacks over the last two days targeting Qatar&#39;s Al Udeid Air Base, Kuwait, Bahrain, and an airfield in Jordan is tantamount to pushing the region to the brink. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi&#39;s unequivocal condition - demanding the closure of US bases to spare host countries - has introduced a volatile security dilemma. Wisely calculating a new self-defence paradigm, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are reportedly in talks with regional stakeholders, including Turkey, offering a hopeful sign towards eventual de-escalation.

The contestation warrants the opening of new avenues for talks. Gulf capitals can play a major role in persuading Washington to look at the bigger picture of regional tranquility and commit to diplomacy. Pakistan has reached out to both warring sides to broker a new thaw, and it is time its voice was heard. Continued attacks from Iran and a plausible maritime blockade pose an existential crisis to the entire region. Having already tested the limits of escalation, the warring sides face a foregone conclusion: this conflict could spiral completely out of control if geopolitical calculations go awry on a day of reckless brinkmanship.]]>
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			<title>Educational laws, ignored</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618636/educational-laws-ignored</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618636/educational-laws-ignored#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 26 19:19:22 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618636</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Private schools are supposed to reserve at least 10% of their total seats for underprivileged students]]>
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				<![CDATA[Education, deemed as the most significant marker for progress in any nation, is kept at an unbelievably low rung of Pakistan&#39;s priority ladder. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the country has a literacy rate of only 62.3%, and around 26.2 million out-of-school children aged 5-16. Late-stage capitalism has also seeped into educational institutes that now operate in almost every other residential street for the sole purpose of profit-making - leeching off desperate families and competing with one another to become the most coveted status symbol while completely ignoring their legal duties.

As per the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2012, private schools are supposed to reserve at least 10% of their total seats for underprivileged students and offer zero-fee education. Not only that, but the Punjab Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2024, goes further and requires private schools in the province to reserve 10% of seats in every single class.

The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education has taken notice of the failure on the part of these institutions to live up to this social, moral and legal obligation - highlighting that these schools are breaking this law despite pocketing billions of rupees annually. Hardly any of Pakistan&#39;s 137,234 private institutions, according to 2021-22 statistics, offer underprivileged students this provision, turning what should be a public good into an inflation-ridden business model.

This isn&#39;t even the first warning. These schools have been notified and threatened with action previously in 2023 as well, but neither did the schools comply nor was it followed by any of the &#39;stern legal action&#39; that was promised. It is collective failure on the part of the government and these institutes, and this warning must now be followed by action before another generation of children grows up without a basic right of a developing economy.]]>
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			<title>The SAARC question</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618635/the-saarc-question</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618635/the-saarc-question#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 26 19:19:22 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618635</guid>
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				<![CDATA[India, like the rest of Saarc, is dealing with several problems]]>
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				<![CDATA[The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) has been dormant for over a decade, almost entirely due to the foreign policy of India. No summit has been held since 2014. The 19th summit, scheduled for Islamabad in 2016, was indefinitely postponed after India boycotted the event. That boycott was ordered by the government of Narendra Modi, who was then barely a year into his first term as prime minister, on the pretext of the Uri Attack about two months before the summit. Since then, India has refused to let Saarc meetings move forward.

This is a disservice to the two billion people that live in Saarc member states, about three-quarters of whom are Indian. A functional Saarc could be a catalyst for closer trade ties and more integration in the region. Unfortunately, over a decade of the Modi premiership has shown that the government prefers disseminating propaganda through the useful idiots in the godi media rather than actually doing the hard work and diplomatic negotiation that is required to make India a regional leader.

India, like the rest of Saarc, is dealing with several problems, and as much as it tries to convince its populace that it is now &#39;shining&#39;, the country has much to do to address poverty and climate change impacts, both of which are difficult to manage without international cooperation. But Modi knows more than historians; otherwise, he would have learned from the success of the EU, or even ASEAN. New Delhi&#39;s concern that a strong Saarc could reduce Indian regional hegemony is both self-defeating and historically myopic.

Despite their warring history, Germany, France and other European countries worked together to build the EU. Indonesia, despite its size, chose to help build Asean and push for collective success. India, instead, has chosen to try - and continually fail - to isolate the second-largest country in Saarc. Unsurprisingly, New Delhi&#39;s bossy behaviour has led to the failure of other India-led regional organisations such as Bimstec to achieve anything of merit. Reviving Saarc without India is absurd, but reviving it with India is looking increasingly impossible.]]>
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			<title>A vote against Israel</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618634/a-vote-against-israel</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618634/a-vote-against-israel#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 26 19:19:22 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618634</guid>
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				<![CDATA[American legislators are becoming increasingly introspective, keeping a close eye on the upcoming midterm primaries]]>
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				<![CDATA[The shifting sands of allegiance toward Israel in American politics are worth noting. Though it is unprecedented to expect an anti-Jewish sentiment at the statecraft level in the US, evolving cross-currents at the helm of affairs suggest a change of heart. Thus, it was momentous to see nearly half of the Democrats in the US House of Representatives support a bill calling for the censure of the Zionist state for its indulgence in a bloodbath in Gaza. Irrespective of the fact that the amendment to cut off aid to Tel Aviv was defeated, it sent a strong message exhibiting the growing divide between conventional politics and the emerging wave of progressiveness on Middle Eastern affairs.

Republican Thomas Massie and Democrat Katherine Clark, along with Ilhan Omar and the likes, are significant additions to these voices of conscience. They are determined to uphold America&#39;s sense of moral duty in the realm of human rights, standing fast against any country that does not comply with US laws, interests, and values. Moreover, the fact that 104 votes were cast against the conventional consensus is remarkable, given the near-unanimous support that US legislators traditionally provided. Had the amendment been carried, it would have blocked $3.3 billion in annual security assistance to Israel while barring any other funding in the appropriations bill from being used for the country.

The message to Israel, nonetheless, is clear. American legislators are becoming increasingly introspective, keeping a close eye on the upcoming midterm primaries - which carry a loaded agenda of distancing the nation from warmongering amid growing US alienation from the world at large. The war with Iran, launched at the behest of Israel, has cost America its global leadership and reduced its influence in the Middle East. Likewise, the distancing of Arab allies from Pan-American alignment and the eroding utility of NATO are challenges that cannot be resolved by remaining pegged to Israeli supremacy. The moment the US Congress stops acting as a surrogate for the Knesset, America&#39;s lost glory will shine once again.]]>
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			<title>Crime's growing confidence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618447/crimes-growing-confidence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618447/crimes-growing-confidence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 26 19:13:02 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[That confidence is perhaps the most disturbing feature of Karachi's criminal landscape]]>
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				<![CDATA[Another life has been claimed by Karachi&#39;s unrelenting street crime, and the killing of a young doctor, Akash Kumar, has struck a particularly raw nerve. A professional at the beginning of his career was shot dead during a robbery in Clifton - an area synonymous with heavy policing and constant public activity. Whether investigators ultimately conclude that the fatal shot came from a fleeing robber or from a security guard who returned fire does not alter the central fact that armed robbers chose to strike with astonishing confidence in broad daylight.

That confidence is perhaps the most disturbing feature of Karachi&#39;s criminal landscape. Armed gangs no longer appear deterred by the prospect of police patrols or crowded commercial districts. They strike with the expectation that they can either escape or, if caught, be replaced by another gang waiting in the wings. Such brazenness is not created overnight. It flourishes when criminal networks are allowed to regenerate faster than the state dismantles them. Street crime has also ceased to be merely a policing issue. It is increasingly an organised criminal enterprise. Arresting the men who pull the trigger is necessary but insufficient if the infrastructure that recruits, shelters and finances them remains intact.

This demands a shift to sustained intelligence-led enforcement. Law enforcement agencies must identify and dismantle criminal dens that serve as safe havens for repeat offenders. The state&#39;s objective cannot simply be to respond after a robbery has occurred. Equally important is restoring public confidence in policing itself. Effective oversight is about improving tactical responses and minimising the risk to innocent civilians. Finally, punishment must become both certain and swift. Our criminal justice system has too often allowed violent offenders to exploit investigative weaknesses and procedural loopholes. Armed robbery resulting in the loss of life deserves exemplary punishment.]]>
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			<title>Digitising justice</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618446/digitising-justice</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618446/digitising-justice#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 26 19:13:02 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618446</guid>
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				<![CDATA[SC, the broader judiciary should thus ensure that digital systems are sustainable, secure and accessible]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court has completed the remarkable process of digitising all pending cases, with over 44,995 pending case files being scanned, barcoded, digitally catalogued and integrated into the Court&#39;s Case Information Management System (CIMS). The files are now searchable via Optical Character Recognition technology, turning what used to be mountains of paper into instantly accessible digital form. This could potentially be a huge step in the direction of cutting down the massive case backlog in the apex court - during the digitisation process alone, 11,999 of the digitised cases were decided, proving that technology can accelerate justice without disrupting the court&#39;s daily work.

The Supreme Court has also categorised every pending case by jurisdiction and subject matter, which allows for better case management and priority-based resource allocation. Electronic filing, QR-authenticated certified copies, video-link hearings, and a public facilitation centre offering 35 digital services are now operational, making paper records genuinely obsolete. But digitisation alone is not enough. Cost considerations are bound to come up. Managing databases is costly, and allowing external access would further increase costs. In the US, for example, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) provides online access to federal appellate, district and bankruptcy court documents, but it operates on a fee model - $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document, with all fees waived for users whose billing is less than $30 per quarter. The fees also do not apply when PACER is accessed at designated terminals, such as those at courts. Still, these are public records that should be free for all, and although the government justifies the fees as covering court technology costs, reports suggest that PACER now generates $147 million annually, most of which is profit.

The Supreme Court and the broader judiciary should thus ensure that digital systems are sustainable, secure and accessible, perhaps by using other revenue sources, such as fines or paid printing services, to help cover costs.]]>
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			<title>Taxing retailers</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618445/taxing-retailers-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618445/taxing-retailers-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jul 26 19:13:02 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618445</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Traders should take this as a bonanza offer to become part of the formal economy]]>
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				<![CDATA[The government&#39;s endeavour to bring in retailers with a favourable tax slab is appreciated. The intention is not only to ease complex accounting processes - as around three million retailers countrywide are currently untaxed - but also to bolster the exchequer with a decent turnover. The recent proposal introduces a voluntary income tax regime for small shopkeepers, offering them exemptions from audits, withholding taxes, and mandatory digital invoicing.

Traders should take this as a bonanza offer to become part of the formal economy. Individual retailers with an annual turnover of up to Rs200 million will have the option to pay an income tax equal to 1% of their gross turnover, or a minimum fixed tax of Rs25,000, even if taxes already deducted at source exceed their liability. This proposal offers a clear path forward; the FBR must ensure robust enforcement, and shopkeepers who evade compliance must be taken to task.

All previous efforts to bring wholesalers and retailers into the tax net were politically jaundiced. This has taken a toll on the economy, as major revenue earners were coddled at the expense of national development. It is ironic that the salaried class pays a staggering income tax of over Rs630 billion, whereas corporate entities, real estate, and traders thrive on the premise of their nuisance value. As Pakistan is supposed to meet a tax target of Rs15.264 trillion this fiscal - a 17.6% increase over the previous year - all these holy cows must finally face the knife.

Retailers are currently obligated to pay an 18% standard sales tax on consumer goods and a 1% income tax on their annual turnover. It is problematic that a segment constituting roughly 19% of the GDP contributes less than 3% of all collected direct taxes. Tax reforms are indispensable if the economy is to sustain itself. It is high time to do away with tax rebates, SROs, and subsidies, allowing performing sectors to combine their synergies to help the country make ends meet.

While encouraging retailers to pay a lump sum, the government has made a major concession by overlooking receipt digitisation. This must be treated as a one-time waiver only.]]>
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			<title>Social media curbs on kids</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618260/social-media-curbs-on-kids</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618260/social-media-curbs-on-kids#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 20:14:35 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[European children spend four to six hours daily on social media]]>
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				<![CDATA[The European Union has become the latest bloc to move towards placing limits on children&#39;s access to social media, and the restrictions are among the strictest in the world. An expert panel has recommended that the EU bar children under 13 from social media entirely, except under adult supervision, with phased access for adolescents up to 18. A legislative proposal is expected in September, and there is strong justification for imposing restrictions. European children spend four to six hours daily on social media, and nearly 60% have experienced emotional or psychosocial harm online.

It will be interesting to see what kind of compliance requirements and penalties the EU imposes, considering the high premium it places on privacy. Australia, for example, became the first country to ban under-16s from social media in December 2025 and threatens fines of up to $34.3 million on non-compliant platforms, with the amount doubling for repeat offenders. The UK&#39;s similar ban for under-16s is set to take effect in early 2027. France aims to ban under-15s from September, while Spain and Greece are pursuing restrictions for under-16s. At least half a dozen other EU member states also have their own plans in the works. But restrictions are often meaningless. About 85% of Australian children still use social media, because restrictions are ridiculously easy to bypass. Even the Australian prime minister has accepted that the enforcement needs to be strengthened.

Still, at least these countries are trying to do something. In Pakistan, an estimated 35 million children are now online, often without supervision. Pakistani children spend almost 43% of their screen time on YouTube, followed by 16% on WhatsApp, and nearly 9% on Instagram. Internet-based crimes against children are rising fast, but legislation has stalled over senators&#39; valid concerns regarding enforceability. The best solution remains with parents. The government can only do so much. Parents must enforce their own restrictions if they really want to protect their children from the perils of social media.]]>
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			<title>Managing fault lines</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618259/managing-fault-lines</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618259/managing-fault-lines#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 20:14:35 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618259</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Current situation however cannot be viewed only through the lens of PTI's internal challenges]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s political divide has once again entered a phase where confrontation appears easier than compromise. The debate within PTI over Aleema Khan&#39;s call for a long march hints at a deeper political impasse. PTI has announced its support for the proposed mobilisation against the incumbents, maintaining that every effort to secure the release of Imran Khan and press for its political demands will be backed by the party. Yet, concerns expressed by some PTI leaders about the risks associated with another major protest cannot be ignored.

The current situation however cannot be viewed only through the lens of PTI&#39;s internal challenges. The larger issue is the continued inability of Pakistan&#39;s political leadership to establish a workable framework for disagreement. An impasse between the government and the PTI demonstrates that, despite repeated claims from both sides about the need for political stability, meaningful engagement remains difficult. The ruling coalition maintains that political disputes must be addressed through constitutional and legal channels, while also asserting its responsibility to maintain public order. This position is understandable from a governance perspective. However, political stability cannot depend solely on administrative measures. A democracy also requires avenues where political grievances can be addressed before they translate into prolonged confrontation. For PTI, the challenge is equally significant. Public mobilisation has remained central to its political strategy. Still, a clear roadmap and the ability to engage beyond moments of protest is required.

The present moment requires political maturity from all sides. The government must ensure that public order is maintained, while the opposition must reconsider whether every political objective is best pursued through confrontation. The country&#39;s political fractures will only heal through the willingness to restore genuine dialogue while accommodating disagreement.]]>
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			<title>Why diplomacy must prevail</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618258/why-diplomacy-must-prevail</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618258/why-diplomacy-must-prevail#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 26 20:14:35 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2618258</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Aggressive maneuvers on the part of Tehran to assert its absolute supremacy over the water channel]]>
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				<![CDATA[The region is sliding into geo-economic chaos as the precarious US-Iran ceasefire begins to fray. The resumption of hostilities has once again threatened global supply lines, sending oil prices climbing by over 3% yesterday to their highest in four weeks. Two things are for sure: diplomacy is taking a backseat and all CBMs brokered over the Straits of Hormuz are falling apart. The aggressive maneuvers on the part of Tehran to assert its absolute supremacy over the water channel, as is evident with a legislation underway in its parliament, and Washington&#39;s purported decision to slap 20% tariffs on vessels passing through it are unnerving. These moves are proving detrimental to prospects of peace and reconciliation.

The retaliatory attacks by the Islamic Republic on American bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, as well as on the UAE&#39;s ADNOC installations and crude carriers, represent further setbacks. Of late, the bombing near Iran&#39;s Bushehr nuclear plant has been spine-chilling. These incidents - coupled with the Houthis flexing their muscles against Saudi Arabia and Israel&#39;s uninterrupted salvos on Lebanon - are hallmarks of an Armageddon in the making. The feuding sides have reached this point because they collectively resorted to brinkmanship and failed to do justice to the hard-earned outcome of Pakistan-led mediation. Sticking to the 60-day ceasefire framework by progressing talks was the way forward, but the opportunity has been missed.

The fallout of warmongering, however, was clearly evident as the stock market slumped in Pakistan. The KSE-100 Index shed 3.5% as nervous investors grew wary of the future. Widespread selling was the order of the day as the government mulled a plan to review oil prices on a weekly or even daily basis. The prices of petroleum products have seen a sharp increase recently, following a brief sigh of relief during the last two weeks. This escalating crisis in the strategic Strait could plausibly stir inflation in Pakistan as trade and oil supplies are set to take a hit. There is an urgent need to give diplomacy yet another chance by avoiding maximalist positions by all concerned.]]>
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			<title>Kashmiris' inviolable rights</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618035/kashmiris-inviolable-rights</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618035/kashmiris-inviolable-rights#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 26 19:56:40 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan]]>
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				<![CDATA[Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan - and standing fast with the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir is a cardinal principle of its foreign policy. That sentiment was reiterated by Pakistan&#39;s civil and military leadership as it paid tribute to the 1931 martyrs who laid down their lives in a battle against the Dogra rule. The 22 Kashmiris who sacrificed their lives were at the vanguard of an irresistible struggle, one that continues to this day against India&#39;s illegal occupation of the land.

On this 95th anniversary of July 13, observed as Kashmir Martyrs&#39; Day, the President and the Prime Minister resolved to extend political, social and lawfare support to the brethren in Jammu and Kashmir until their right of self-determination is attained under the resolutions of the UN Security Council. The continuation of moral and diplomatic support was also pledged till India halts repression in IIOJK, ceases all human rights violations, releases political prisoners, lifts the military siege and stops attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory.

Kashmiris have come a long way in upholding their inviolable right to freedom and registered tales of resilience and heroism. The current phase of their struggle since August 5, 2019, wherein New Delhi usurped their special constitutional status by abrogating Articles 35A and 370, is worth appreciating. India, under the intoxication of Hindutva&#39;s doctrine of otherness, has wreaked havoc with its own so-called democratic credentials, and the policy of segregation and altering cultural-cum-lingual characteristics of the Valley is a staggering violation of international law.

It needs to be made clear on this day that Kashmiris are awaiting justice and fair play. It is incumbent upon the democracy and human-rights-preaching societies to come to the aid of the oppressed community, who for decades has been living in the world&#39;s largest concentration camp. India is unrelenting and its modus operandi on Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty and bilateralism is unbecoming of a responsible state. This necessitates a collective response from international institutions and the world community to back the struggle of Kashmiris and ensure that the volatile region does not go over the brink.]]>
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			<title>Promise vs practice</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618036/promise-vs-practice</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618036/promise-vs-practice#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 26 19:56:40 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[The only way the OIC's efforts to fight for equality is sincere is if the Ministerial Conference produces policies]]>
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				<![CDATA[A girl was gang-raped by a group of four men, the crime brazenly filmed for the purpose of blackmailing her. The Supreme Court overturned a death sentence for a man convicted of raping a 10-year-old girl. A three-year-old girl was raped and murdered, her body delivered to her parents&#39; doorstep in a flour sack. An 18-year-old domestic worker was repeatedly tortured and raped by her employer&#39;s son. All these stories are from Pakistan, from June alone. And this is why it&#39;s both logical and illogical that Pakistan hosted the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation&#39;s (OIC) 9th Ministerial Conference on Women, with the two-day gathering on July 12-13 discussing how to improve women&#39;s access to education and the economy.

Gendered violence may seem unrelated to women&#39;s role in their country&#39;s education sector, workplaces, politics and the economy - but that is far from the truth. When women are able to exercise their autonomy and selfhood, and men are indoctrinated with the basic idea that women, as well, are humans with goals and aspirations, society leaves far less room for such crimes to go unpunished and undeterred. It is thus logical for Pakistan to host such a conference: it needs to be outspoken, front-and-centre in the fight for gender equality.

But it may also look hypocritical. Pakistan currently ranks lowest among 148 countries in the World Economic Forum&#39;s Global Gender Gap Report. Women earn 30 per cent less than men in wage employment, and female unemployment remains stubbornly high even with higher levels of education.

Pakistan has much ground to cover. The only way its efforts to fight for equality can seem sincere is if the conference produces some much-needed policies and suggestions that not only empower women but awaken men from their complacent slumber as well. What follows this conference will reveal whether we truly utilised our place as hosts or not.]]>
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			<title>World Cup last four</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618037/world-cup-last-four</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2618037/world-cup-last-four#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jul 26 19:56:40 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[The 2026 World Cup has reached its semifinal stage, and the four teams left standing make a strong case for themselves]]>
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				<![CDATA[The 2026 World Cup has reached its semifinal stage, and the four teams left standing make a strong case for themselves. France meets Spain, and England faces Argentina, with the bracket delivering the top four ranked sides in the world for the first time in the tournament&#39;s history. Argentina arrives as defending champion and looks the part, grinding past Switzerland in extra time behind Juli&aacute;n &Aacute;lvarez and Lautaro Mart&iacute;nez after Lionel Messi&#39;s group stage brilliance set the tone early.

England has leaned on Jude Bellingham&#39;s late-tournament heroics to survive Norway, even as manager Thomas Tuchel called the win lucky and pushed his side publicly toward sharper football. France and Spain bring the tournament&#39;s most complete squads, with Kylian Mbapp&eacute;&#39;s finishing and Spain&#39;s midfield control promising the most technically accomplished tie of the round. None of this has unfolded without argument over officiating. VAR intervened aggressively through the group stage and into the round of 16, most notoriously in Egypt&#39;s exit against Argentina, where a 2-0 lead vanished after review flagged a foul nearly twenty seconds before the goal that erased it. Egypt&#39;s federation called it an injustice. FIFA defended the decision rather than examining it, even as interventions climbed past one hundred through the round of 16, a rate higher than the previous World Cup. Somewhere in the quarterfinals, without announcement, that volume eased. FIFA added a reserve VAR official per match, a quiet concession that review had drifted from correcting obvious errors into re-refereeing entire passages of play.

Both threads matter as the semifinals begin. Four sides built on genuine quality have earned this stage, and the football should be allowed to decide it. VAR&#39;s retreat is welcome if it means restraint, but restraint applied inconsistently is not the same as a clear standard. FIFA owes the remaining fixtures something firmer than a quiet pullback.]]>
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			<title>Dhaka's agrarian outreach</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617857/dhakas-agrarian-outreach</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617857/dhakas-agrarian-outreach#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 26 19:26:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617857</guid>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan and Bangladesh have come a long way in strengthening bilateral cooperation since the fall of Hasina Wajid&#39;s government. That is a laudable achievement and signals a pragmatic, interest-driven policy of regionalism. Dhaka intends to recalibrate its engagement based on shared interests rather than historical grievances. The resulting diplomatic momentum has likewise been swift, with both countries restoring aviation and maritime linkages, increasing their trade volume by 20%, and inking new business agreements.

The high-powered interaction between the Bangladesh Ministry of Industries and a Pakistani delegation led by the Trading Corporation of Pakistan has pushed the envelope further, and a MoU on agrarian trade is on the cards. While Pakistan has a surplus production in grains, Dhaka has expressed an interest in importing rice, lentils, chickpeas, fertilisers and edible oil. Similarly, Pakistan after a hiatus of decades will be importing jute and jute-based products. Moreover, the proposed amalgamation in the industrial sector is a win-win equation. Islamabad&#39;s offer to assist Bangladesh in ensuring competitive supplies from international sources is another laudable outreach. All that is desired is to walk the talk and double down on identifying tariff reductions and easing logistical movements to make trade more efficient in real-time.

Luckily, this reset is not limited to bilateral economics. Both states also have a collective vision for the region. The desire on their part to revitalise SAARC is a good omen, and would come to benefit eight member states of the group. But India&#39;s hegemonic attitude nonetheless is an obstacle, but Dhaka sought to subdue that impediment by saying that the organisation can move forward without New Delhi. The growing role of China in the region and Bangladesh&#39;s versatility in Southeast Asia are other factors that foment a united front between Islamabad and Dhaka.]]>
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			<title>Nasla Tower order</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617858/nasla-tower-order</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617858/nasla-tower-order#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 26 19:26:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A controversial chapter in Karachi&#39;s urban history has been revisited through a judgment by the Federal Constitutional Court to withdraw the sweeping directions issued by the Supreme Court in the Nasla Tower case in 2021. This marks an important correction in how urban regulation and accountability must be approached. The judgment rightfully restores the responsibility of enforcing those laws to the institutions legally mandated to do so - the provincial government and the SBCA.

The building&#39;s removal became a symbol of the city&#39;s wider failure of regulation, but it also raised difficult questions about justice, due process and the consequences faced by ordinary citizens who had invested their life savings in apartments that had been approved and overlooked by multiple state institutions. There was no denying that irregularities surrounded Nasla Tower&#39;s construction. If land was illegally acquired and permissions were unlawfully granted, those responsible should have faced strict legal action. The officials who approved the project, the individuals who benefited from the illegalities and the institutions that failed to prevent the construction should have been held accountable. Punishing those responsible would have sent a far stronger deterrent message than demolishing a building years after families had made it their homes. The judiciary cannot become a substitute for regulatory bodies that have failed to discharge their responsibilities. Courts exist to interpret and uphold the law, but sustainable urban governance requires functioning institutions and accountable officials.

At the same time, the FCC judgment should not be misinterpreted as a licence for unchecked construction. Instead, it reinforces the need for institutions entrusted with regulating urban development to be held accountable for failing to discharge their mandates, shifting the burden back to administrative institutions. Courts will likely be more cautious about issuing blanket demolition orders, and future action against illegal structures will require due process and institutional responsibility.]]>
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			<title>CCD's lawlessness</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617859/ccds-lawlessness</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617859/ccds-lawlessness#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 26 19:26:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Allegations regarding the increasingly criminal conduct of Punjab Crime Control Department (CCD) officials have forced the Lahore High Court&#39;s hand, with the court ordering criminal proceedings over the CCD&#39;s illegal detention of a man moments after he was released from prison and its ensuing efforts to use a falsified report to justify their actions.

The CCD officials can consider themselves extremely unlucky, because they allowed themselves to be caught on CCTV cameras. After all, the department has been facing much more serious accusations of violent criminal conduct for several months, with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) even warning the Punjab government in June about the rise in extrajudicial killings by the CCD. According to the HRCP, over 1,100 suspects have been killed in 808 police &quot;encounters&quot; since the CCD was formed in April 2025. Both of those numbers are extraordinarily high - CCD officials are involved in about two encounters a day across the province and kill almost three people every day, on average. Unfortunately, the complaint fell on deaf ears, as the provincial government could not be bothered to make time to act on the evidence and take action.

It clearly does not matter that some of the deaths are undisputedly innocent victims, including a nine-year-old tourist whose family was being robbed at gunpoint. CCD officials spotted the robbery and began shooting not only at the robbers, but also at the victims&#39; car, breaking several rules and laws relating to use of force. Yet, the only reason that the case got any scrutiny from the police was that the deceased victim and her injured relatives were all foreign nationals.

Contrary to what we see in the movies, police officials are trained to avoid firing their guns unless absolutely necessary. Failure to respect this basic principle is why the police have always had a reputation for corruption and mismanagement. It should not be the court&#39;s job to address this shortcoming. The Punjab government must ensure that accountability becomes the norm, rather than the exception.]]>
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			<title>Race to the bottom</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617733/race-to-the-bottom</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617733/race-to-the-bottom#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 26 19:41:17 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Although infrastructure is not the only area that Karachi is desperately falling behind in]]>
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				<![CDATA[Despite Sindh government&#39;s best attempts at trying to gaslight the citizens of Karachi about the state of their city, the Global Liveability Index has highlighted Karachi&#39;s problems in a light so scathing that they&#39;re difficult to sweep under the rug. According to the annual ranking by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Karachi currently ranks even below war-torn Kyiv and Tehran - sitting at 170 out of 173 cities in terms of liveability.

It comes as no surprise; at any given moment, the rocky, dug-up, pothole-ridden roads of Karachi do seem as if they&#39;ve endured multiple aerial attacks. If mere commute is an impossible feat for what is meant to be an industrial hub and a modern economy, then it is quite evident that the city is structurally falling apart.

Although infrastructure is not the only area that Karachi is desperately falling behind in. The ranking also takes into account stability, education, healthcare, culture and environment - most of which are either amiss or wrecked in the city. The sense of stability is conveniently lost at the hands of inflation, violence, protests, crime and negligence. Healthcare is a victim of administrative corruption and the parchi system. And the culture has been destroyed via political opposition. Education remains the only facet which has maintained some form of dignity for the city with a score of 75 out of 100.

The results are not surprising. Many citizens have already given up on the city, resulting in massive brain drain over the previous decades, in search of greener pastures. But those who stay behind must demand accountability and improvement. The largest and most populous city of Pakistan deserves more than being cast aside like a project gone wrong. The city holds potential to transform the trajectory of this country, and it needs to be treated similarly.]]>
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			<title>Growing pains</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617732/growing-pains-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617732/growing-pains-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 26 19:41:17 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617732</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The population crisis is an accumulated result of several other crises]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s population crisis has been at least over seven decades in the making. Despite repeated family planning initiatives and various population control measures, it stands as the fifth most populous country in the world today. This year, a National Population Council is now joining the ranks of past - failed or forsaken - attempts, such as the Population Welfare Programme, at curbing this growing demographic.

Undoubtedly, repeated attempts at trying to solve a problem should be appreciated. Except, when similar patterns are repeated that have previously failed, the cycle of improvement is merely unveiled as a performance. Still missing for the public is clarity on budget allocations, measurable targets and timelines that won&#39;t budge on account of mismanagement.

Moreover, official messaging leans heavily on &quot;informed decision-making&quot; and &quot;awareness&quot; as though the country&#39;s fertility rate persists solely because people simply don&#39;t know better. While this covers some portion of the truth, much of it is convenience. The reality is that most rural regions have extremely limited access to contraception, low female autonomy and high child mortality that pushes families towards more kids. Even if the knowledge gap is summited, resources and autonomy are still required to make informed decisions.

Then there&#39;s the oft-celebrated statistic of over half of Pakistan&#39;s population being under 30. This statistic is only positive if the country&#39;s economy is able to absorb them. Without quality education and good jobs, the bulk of this population is essentially wasted and risks becoming a liability much more than it has the potential to become an asset.

The population crisis is an accumulated result of several other crises. Until the root of this problem is not addressed, measures to cap the population will remain unsustainable. And each year, World Population Day will keep bringing statements instead of solutions.]]>
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			<title>India's water intransigence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617731/indias-water-intransigence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617731/indias-water-intransigence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 11 Jul 26 19:41:17 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[All options must be deployed to foil Indian attempts to starve Pakistan of its rightful share of the Western Rivers]]>
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				<![CDATA[India&#39;s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty has endangered regional peace and security. Apart from the fact that the move is in contravention of international law, it has thrown to the wind the decorum of a good neighborhood, as well as the rights of the lower riparian state. This illegality of the Indian repudiation of the IWT necessitates a collective response from the comity of nations - especially international arbitration institutions - to ensure that water, as a fundamental right to life, is not used as a weapon of coercion and terrorism. Thus, Pakistan&#39;s civil society, jurisprudents, diplomats and legislators have &ndash; at an international seminar held in Islamabad recently &ndash; rightfully called for censuring New Delhi and making it abide by the conventions of peaceful coexistence.

The way forward for Pakistan is to properly sequence and calibrate all available lawfare options at forums like the UNGA, the ICJ and the UNHRC. Islamabad&#39;s stance on the IWT, however, has been seconded by World Bank President Ajay Banga, who termed Delhi&#39;s move ultra vires, stating that the &quot;treaty contains no provisions for unilateral suspension or pause.&quot; Likewise, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that Islamabad&#39;s position regarding maximum pondage limits is rational, and that the &quot;current policy of India to construct hydroelectric projects on the western rivers is illegal.&quot; With India found on the wrong side of both law and ethics, it is time to flag its water terrorism and subsequently raise the cost of non-compliance under international law.

All options must be deployed to foil Indian attempts to starve Pakistan of its rightful share of the Western Rivers. It needs to be pointed out that both the IWT and customary international law point towards a cooperative sharing of river waters which, in a climate change-induced environment of water scarcity, is the guarantor of human security and peace in South Asia. Thus, India&#39;s water intransigence is inhumane, callous and dangerous, to say the least. This unilateral modification of watercourses is a precursor to collective ecological destruction in the region.]]>
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			<title>Naegleria scare</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617575/naegleria-scare</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617575/naegleria-scare#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 26 19:13:27 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Naegleria is not an uncontrollable threat]]>
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				<![CDATA[Water sources of one of the most populous cities in the world have long remained vulnerable to contamination by a deadly amoeba, yet authorities have failed to establish a system capable of preventing recurring deaths. The latest fatality caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the &quot;brain-eating amoeba&quot;, is a 44-year-old resident of Korangi who recently lost his life despite having no reported history of swimming or exposure to recreational water. The incident has once again raised questions about the quality of Karachi&#39;s water supply, as experts believe the infection was likely contracted through contaminated non-chlorinated tap water.

Naegleria is not an uncontrollable threat. Medical experts have repeatedly emphasised that the amoeba cannot survive in properly treated and adequately chlorinated water. Its continued presence in Karachi&#39;s water system points towards a persistent governance failure. The first cases were reported in 2012, when the disease claimed several lives, and the pattern has continued despite repeated warnings. Last year alone, at least five deaths were reported from the city. Yet, the official response has remained largely reactive, with advisories issued after fatalities occur. Public awareness is important, but it cannot become a substitute for state responsibility. Residents cannot be expected to test chlorine levels or determine whether the water supplied to their homes has been properly treated.

The Sindh government and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation must move beyond temporary responses and develop a comprehensive water safety strategy. Chlorination levels should be regularly monitored across the city and independent testing mechanisms should be introduced to ensure accountability. A city cannot claim progress while its people remain vulnerable to a fatal infection from the very water they depend on for daily life.]]>
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			<title>Shoddy probe</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617574/shoddy-probe</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617574/shoddy-probe#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 26 19:13:27 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Court's observations should concern every citizen]]>
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				<![CDATA[A fire that turned Gul Plaza into a graveyard cannot end with an investigation that merely identifies the easiest targets. Yet that is precisely the danger emerging from the police probe into one of Karachi&#39;s deadliest urban tragedies. The rejection of the charge sheet by a judicial magistrate has exposed not only weaknesses in the investigation but also the deeper problem of how institutional failures are often ignored when accountability is sought.

The court&#39;s observations should concern every citizen. An investigating officer tasked with uncovering the truth was unable to explain the roles of various government departments and failed to incorporate key documents into the case record. These are not technical mistakes that can be dismissed as procedural lapses. They raise fundamental questions about whether the investigation was designed to uncover responsibility or simply to complete a formality. While any person found responsible for violations must face the law, the investigation cannot stop at those who operated businesses inside the building.

The provincial authorities must ensure that a reinvestigation is ordered and not conducted as another routine exercise. It should be handed to a competent team with no connection to the earlier shortcomings, empowered to examine the role of every individual and institution involved. More importantly, its findings must be made public so that citizens can see whether accountability has been applied fairly. The Gul Plaza fire must not become another case where responsibility is diluted over time and the burden of failure falls only on ordinary citizens. The victims of Gul Plaza do not need a convenient investigation. They need the truth. And the truth can only emerge when the entire chain of responsibility is examined without fear or favour.]]>
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			<title>Growth estimate</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617573/growth-estimate</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617573/growth-estimate#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jul 26 19:13:27 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[ADB's downgrade cites higher energy costs and anticipated pressure on remittances]]>
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				<![CDATA[The International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank are already undercutting the government&#39;s modest 4% GDP growth target by projecting growth in the range of 3.5% to 3.7%. While the variances can be considered to be within an acceptable margin of error, it is worth noting that just a few months ago, the ADB had actually projected growth to be 4.5%.

The ADB&#39;s downgrade cites higher energy costs and anticipated pressure on remittances. These concerns can&#39;t just be brushed aside. Energy prices have indeed shot up in recent months, and despite some respite in fuel prices, gas and electricity are still getting more expensive, and even fuel prices may shoot up again if the US-Iran ceasefire collapses.

One recent bright spot, however, has been remittances hitting record levels last year - $41.6 billion. That represents an 8.6% year-on-year increase, despite difficult economic circumstances in many of the countries from which those remittances originate. In fact, the decline in the year-on-year remittance growth rate - it was 26.6% in 2025 and 10.7% in 2024 - can fairly be attributed to the economic circumstances of overseas Pakistanis. And, soaring energy prices are squeezing industrial margins and household budgets around the world, which is also causing inflation projections to remain relatively high, with the government and ADB projecting 8.2% and 8.3%, respectively.

The global impact of the Iran War and its fallout, however, are bound to suppress remittances, as overseas Pakistanis continue to balance economic uncertainty in their host countries against the needs of their families back home. At policy level, this is yet another reason for the government to make a concerted effort to reduce its reliance on remittances to keep the country afloat. As an energy importer, our economy is already disproportionately sensitive to global events, and the added dependence on remittances means that an event thousands of miles away can feasibly collapse the economy because domestic production and exports cannot sustain it.]]>
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			<title>K-IV: delay or design?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617385/k-iv-delay-or-design</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617385/k-iv-delay-or-design#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 26 19:34:31 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Executors are treating this project as if their hands are tied behind their backs]]>
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				<![CDATA[Five months prior, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal set December 2026 as an updated deadline for the completion of the K-IV water supply project. Given the endless discrepancies in progress and expectations, and funding and delays, the deadline was considered to be a huge stretch - which was highlighted by the KWSC back in early June as well.

Therefore, it comes as absolutely no surprise that federal government officials have now earmarked 2029 as yet another extended deadline for the K-IV project, gradually proving right all the sceptics who wonder whether the project will ever get to see the light of day or not. After countless empty promises that have become tiresome to hear, it seems that the project is inching not towards completion but recklessness.

Karachi is in a shambles. Every street, every corner is either dug up, cordoned off or falling apart - all for the sake of a promise that the government refuses to deliver on. The reasons presented have been consistent throughout: legal hurdles, issues with interdepartmental coordination, inadequate funding and troublesome execution. But till when is the public supposed to bear the cost of these vague phrases that throw around the blame as if it&#39;s without consequences? Till when will the citizens of Karachi be treated as if they&#39;re temporary dwellers of a shelter house?

The executors are treating this project as if their hands are tied behind their backs. In reality, the only transparent part of this project is the doubtless chain of administrative bottlenecks, misplaced money and bureaucratic fallacy plaguing every part of it &ndash; whether big or small. Call it what it is: not mismanagement but a business model that feeds on vulnerable citizens waiting with bated breaths for a liveable city.]]>
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			<title>India's global crime network</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617384/indias-global-crime-network</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2617384/indias-global-crime-network#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 26 19:34:31 +0500</pubDate>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2617384</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Take example of Lawrence Bishnoi, leader of one of India's most fearsome gangs, imprisoned for better part of decade]]>
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				<![CDATA[The arrest of 24 suspects across the United States, Canada and Europe under the US-led Operation Hard Ball is another reminder of the sprawl of India&#39;s organised crime. But while most of the governments involved would be celebrating the scuttling of the gangs&#39; international operations, for the Indian government the arrests are an embarrassing indictment of its unwillingness to take on organised crime at home. Indeed, some of the foreign law enforcement officials involved have credited Indian cooperation in cracking down on the gangs. Yet, the same gangs operate with impunity in India.

Take the example of Lawrence Bishnoi, leader of one of India&#39;s most fearsome gangs and imprisoned for the better part of a decade. Bishnoi allegedly has a whole barrack in the jail to himself and freely communicates with his lieutenants on the outside. Though New Delhi and Indian media propagandists have repeatedly tried to claim that Bishnoi is tied to Sikh separatist groups, foreign law enforcement agencies have shown - with actual evidence - that Bishnoi&#39;s gang has been assassinating pro-Khalistan dissidents in different countries, including foreign nationals. Analysts and members of the Sikh community allege that the Canadian government has recently been downplaying New Delhi&#39;s connection to the assassination of a Canadian Sikh activist. They argue that Ottawa is minimising the role of the Bishnoi gang to protect its trade ties with India. To substantiate this, critics point to claims that an Indian diplomat in Vancouver leaked critical information about the victim directly to members of the gang.

At least one investigation into a foiled assassination attempt in the US has also drawn a rock-solid link with Indian government officials. With this in mind, it is hardly surprising that the gang bosses in India are treated like royalty inside prison. At the bare minimum, other countries need to demand that India actually take measures to treat these crime bosses like criminals, rather than assets of the government.]]>
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