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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>Economic cost of the war</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605894/economic-cost-of-the-war</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605894/economic-cost-of-the-war#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 May 26 20:25:11 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[A doomsday scenario is looming large for Pakistan as a victim of the war in the Middle East. The government, with a weak economic edifice not responsive to the dynamics of society, has little to do to ward off the upcoming storm of inflation and cash crunch triggered by the US-Iran conflict. Members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance were informed at a briefing yesterday that exports could fall by 50%, remittances could shrink up to 40% and inflation could soar to 17%.

This is an untenable graph for a fragile economy that is structured on debt-procurement, and has an IMF programme with stringent conditionalities to cater to. And given an unprofessional and corrupt revenue generation base, and the ruling hierarchy&#39;s pomp and show that ridicules austerity claims, tough times lie ahead for the masses who have already been hit by escalating energy prices and are enduring a sharp slump in their purchasing power.

A glance at the fallout of the 40-day war depicts that it has already cost the country a staggering $10 billion. Here&#39;s the breakup: oil import has taken a $334 million per month hit; remittances have been slashed by $333 million; exports have been cut by $400 million; and a rise in freight charges have accounted for $100 million. The Prime Minister is on record saying the monthly oil bill has jumped from $300 million to $800 million. The legislators were thus told that the conflict could cause $10 to $68 billion annual losses to the economy.

The coalition government seems to have no clue as to how to deal with this exigent situation, other than passing the buck of inflation and price volatility to the masses. With the price of oil per barrel likely to shoot up to $150 &ndash; as the Strait of Hormuz is barricaded both by the US and Iran &ndash; the economy could lose up to $68 per annum. Last but not least, as expatriates in the Gulf are on the receiving end on the job front, it could add up to the government&#39;s balance-of-payments miseries. This situation necessitates action, not rhetoric.]]>
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			<title>Pluralistic religious education</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605896/pluralistic-religious-education</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605896/pluralistic-religious-education#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 May 26 20:25:11 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh government&#39;s decision to expand religious education in schools by adding three textbooks for Hindus is a commendable effort to make schools more inclusive. The books will be used by students from grades three to five in the next academic year. The plan has the added benefit of costing the government nothing, as the publication costs for the next year are reportedly being borne by Prem Sagar Sanstha Karachi, a social welfare organisation. The contents of the textbooks will be prepared by Hindu groups and subject-area experts, in collaboration with the local education authorities, to ensure quality.

The policy change goes a long way in addressing a major injustice in the education system, as Hindus, like other minorities, had no opportunities to get religious education in their own faiths. Experts have blamed this approach for the rise in exclusionary narratives in textbooks and rising social intolerance against religious minorities. By allowing Hindu students to study their own faith, the state is finally fulfilling its constitutional obligation under Articles 25, 27 and 36, which prohibit discrimination and safeguard minority rights.

But practical challenges remain. An estimated 44% of minority children in Sindh are out of school, far above the national average of 27%. The funding arrangement is currently only for one year, so the Sindh Textbook Board will have to pay for books in subsequent academic years. However, the added cost will not be unsustainably high - an estimated 129,000 Hindu students are currently enrolled in grades three through five across the province. It is worth noting that the National Curriculum Council issued NOCs in 2023 for the publication of religious books for students from seven minority groups enrolled in federally supervised educational institutions. However, only a tiny fraction of students nationwide attend federally supervised schools. The best way to promote Pakistan&#39;s pluralistic identity would be to encourage other provinces to enact legislation adopting similar measures.]]>
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			<title>Apna Ghar</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605895/apna-ghar</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605895/apna-ghar#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 May 26 20:25:11 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[A country where millions remain trapped in rented spaces, often at the mercy of rising urban costs, cannot claim to have addressed its most basic social contract. The launch of the Wazir-e-Azam Apna Ghar Programme signals a serious attempt to confront this gap, and, if executed with discipline, it could become one of the more meaningful housing interventions in recent years.

Homeownership in Pakistan has remained out of reach not because people lack the will to build, but because they lack access to affordable, structured financing. The scheme recognises this reality and is offering loans of up to Rs10 million, covering as high as 85% of the total cost of house purchase or house construction. The financial structure deserves attention. A 20-year repayment period, coupled with a subsidised 5% markup for the first 10 years before transitioning to a market-linked rate tied to KIBOR, creates a rare blend of affordability and sustainability. This is a credit-based pathway that treats beneficiaries as participants in the formal economy rather than passive recipients of state support. For salaried individuals and small business owners, predictable instalments over 20 years can turn what seems impossible into a manageable financial commitment. Such a framework carries wider economic implications. Housing has long been recognised as a high-multiplier sector. Construction activity triggers demand in other industries. The government&#39;s ambition to finance 500,000 homes over five years, starting with 50,000 in the first year, suggests a scale large enough to make a measurable impact.

Yet optimism must remain tempered with realism. Pakistan&#39;s past housing initiatives have often stumbled not at the announcement stage, but during implementation. Banks, despite official encouragement, tend to favour low-risk borrowers, which can dilute the scheme&#39;s intended inclusivity. Even so, the direction is difficult to fault. By combining long-tenure financing and a structured repayment model, the programme moves beyond rhetoric and into a framework that aligns with global best practices in affordable housing finance.]]>
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			<title>Labour rights!</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605728/labour-rights</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605728/labour-rights#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 26 19:53:57 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Labour force continues to expand in Pakistan, yet protections remain uneven and, in many cases, symbolic]]>
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				<![CDATA[Work, long romanticised in speeches and routinely neglected in policy, stands at the centre of Pakistan&#39;s economic contradiction as the country marks International Labour Day. A day meant to honour labour has increasingly become a mirror reflecting how far the state and market remain from ensuring dignity for those who carry the burden of both.

Across Pakistan, the labour force continues to expand, yet protections remain uneven and, in many cases, symbolic. From factory floors to construction sites and the vast informal economy that powers urban centres like Karachi, workers often operate outside formal contracts and without social security, health coverage or legal recourse. Even where laws exist, enforcement remains sporadic. The gap between legislation and lived reality has become a defining feature of the labour ecosystem. Economic pressures have deepened this strain. Persistent inflation and market instability have eroded real wages, leaving workers with diminishing purchasing power. For many households, employment no longer guarantees financial stability. The notion of &quot;working poor&quot; has become a widespread condition. When these systemic failures go unaddressed, observing May Day is rendered a mere ritual.

What is required is neither rhetorical solidarity nor fragmented reforms, but a coherent labour agenda. Minimum wage laws must be enforced uniformly across provinces, not merely notified. Social protection systems need expansion beyond registered workers to include informal labour through innovative mechanisms. May Day, rooted in the historic struggle for workers, was a call to action against exploitation and indifference. That call remains relevant in Pakistan today, perhaps more urgently than ever. Acknowledging workers must go beyond speeches and public holidays. It must translate into enforceable rights and economic justice. Without this, the country will fail its workforce and undermine the very foundation of its economic future.]]>
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			<title>Tainted CIE exam</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605727/tainted-cie-exam</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605727/tainted-cie-exam#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 26 19:53:57 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[If CIE cannot guarantee the integrity of its own exams, it has no right to charge such prices]]>
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				<![CDATA[Rumours that another Cambridge International Education (CIE) exam paper was leaked in Pakistan are a disgrace. Yet, more disgraceful is the lethargic, defensive response from the institution, which charges a fortune for the privilege of sitting its exams. For the third consecutive year, CIE exams have become embroiled in scandal, and the board&#39;s only answer so far is a promise to investigate after the June 2026 series concludes.

This year&#39;s &#39;featured&#39; leak was of the AS Level Pure Mathematics 1 paper. Unsolved and solved versions of the entire paper were circulating on social media hours before the exam, leaving hardworking students feeling cheated and despairing. The security lapse is worsened by the fact that sitting even one single CIE exam costs more than the monthly incomes of millions of Pakistanis. Blatant commercialism has seen the prices of exams skyrocket, even in terms of British Pounds. The recent dramatic loss of value of the rupee has made these costs even more painful. The National Assembly&#39;s Standing Committee on Education recently revealed fees reaching up to Rs60,000 per exam paper, while the fee for eight O Level subjects has been set at Rs211,000. Cambridge extracts over Rs21 billion from Pakistan in a single examination session. These are premium prices that demand a premium product with premium security.

The board cannot keep using global challenges as an excuse. CIE and the British Council have had years to improve their security protocols, but have failed. If CIE cannot guarantee the integrity of its own exams, it has no right to charge such prices. CIE must immediately overhaul its security framework, conduct transparent third-party audits, and provide concrete remedies for affected students. The government must also ensure that students are getting their money&#39;s worth, because these recurring crises suggest students may be better off going for alternative options, including a few offered through the British Council.]]>
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			<title>Time to shirk posturing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605726/time-to-shirk-posturing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605726/time-to-shirk-posturing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 26 19:53:56 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Standoff between the two sides persists, with a fragile ceasefire holding on]]>
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				<![CDATA[Iran has indulged in some strategic posturing meant to convey that it will be a major stakeholder in the emerging new regional order. With the US-Israeli aggression against Iran on a pausing after two months, Supreme Leader Syed Mojtaba Khamenei insists that a &quot;new chapter of stability&quot; is unfolding as the Strait of Hormuz is being &quot;regulated&quot; by the Islamic Republic. That came as a snub to the unilateral blockade of the water channel by Washington at the mouth of Arabian Sea, resulting in further rise in oil prices and triggering worldwide concerns about supra-inflation. Khamenei has also made it loud and clear that his country will closely guard its nuclear and missile capabilities, adding that the future of the Gulf is without the United States.

This rhetoric, in fact, comes limiting the space for diplomatic maneuvering between the two arch foes, being led by Islamabad. The series of statements from Khamenei have also quashed the rumours that he is seriously indisposed, and the governing strata of Iran stands fractured. President Donald Trump has repeatedly eulogised &quot;America&#39;s victory&quot; in the war, claiming that Iran is on the verge of collapse, and incapacitated to assert itself. The reality on the ground, however, is one of sheer power-politics, as the standoff between the two sides persists, with a fragile ceasefire holding on.

The volatility, nonetheless, on the plateaus of Lebanon is quite worrisome, as Israel has issued threats to 15 towns in southern part of the country amid looming food and energy shortages. Likewise, Iranian Foreign Ministry has come up with a tit for tat to its Gulf neighbours, warning that any &#39;mischief&#39; from their respective territories would be taken as an act of war and instantly retaliated. And this raises concerns for renewed conflagrations in the region. The impasse since the second round of talks in Islamabad broke down is fraught with serious consequences. It&#39;s time for the warring sides to shirk chest-thumping and turn a new leaf to work collectively for a perpetual end to the war in the Middle East.]]>
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			<title>Fake degrees proliferate</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605545/fake-degrees-proliferate</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605545/fake-degrees-proliferate#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 26 21:14:09 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Fake degree crackdown highlights need for universal digital attestation]]>
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				<![CDATA[Another chapter has been added to Pakistan&#39;s rich history of academic fraud, with 1,200 lawyers being sent notices by the Punjab Bar Council regarding the authentication of their degrees. In all likelihood, only a small fraction of the lawyers would actually have suspicious qualifications, as the most common problem in such disputes is simply the unwillingness of some people to jump through hoops to have their qualifications verified.

To its credit, the Higher Education Commission has taken several steps to improve the process, including initiating a blockchain-based attestation system that will automatically integrate graduate records from institutions. Under this framework, degrees will be added to the HEC blockchain upon graduation, granting students immediate digital access while enabling employers, government bodies and embassies to verify credentials with a single click.

The HEC must move decisively to expand its programme from the current 25 participating universities to making it compulsory for all degree-awarding institutions, public and private. If the system is to truly serve its purpose, every degree issued in Pakistan must be automatically deposited into the database the moment graduation requirements are met. Half measures will not suffice when the stakes include the national workforce&#39;s credibility and international mobility of our graduates, along with public trust in higher education itself.

The government also needs to stop offering amnesty to fake degree holders through regularisation and other means. Such benefits should only be open to people who make honest mistakes. Lying about your qualifications on a job application is straight-up fraud, and under many circumstances, a jailable crime. At the bare minimum, they should be fired and replaced by scores of deserving employees and job applicants who actually earned their qualifications, especially in government departments. Anything less would be government endorsement of defrauding taxpayers.]]>
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			<title>Solar relief</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605544/solar-relief</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605544/solar-relief#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 26 21:14:09 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Solar sector gains clarity as licensing rules for small systems are dropped]]>
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				<![CDATA[The recent back-and-forth over solar regulations has worked to confuse even the most engaged consumers. Nepra&#39;s latest decision to abolish the licensing requirement and fee for solar systems of up to 25 kilowatts under net metering is therefore a welcome correction. It removes an unnecessary hurdle and restores a degree of sanity to a sector that has increasingly become central to household survival.

For months, the impression took hold that the state was intent on &quot;taxing sunlight&quot;. Whether that perception was entirely accurate is beside the point. Policy signals matter, and the earlier move to impose a Rs1,000 per kW licensing fee while centralising approvals with Nepra sent precisely the wrong message. At a time when fuel costs and unreliable grid supply are pushing citizens toward self-generation, such measures appeared punitive.

The reversal, prompted by public pressure and industry pushback, effectively restores the spirit of the 2015 distributed generation framework. Small consumers can once again install rooftop solar systems without navigating an additional regulatory maze or incurring upfront fees. That matters not just for affordability but for momentum. Pakistan&#39;s solar uptake has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise strained energy landscape.

However, it cannot be ignored that when it comes to solar, policy inconsistency has become the norm. The same authorities that flirted with shifting net metering to net billing are now positioning themselves as pro-solar.

Clarity is now essential. First, the government must commit to a stable net metering regime with clearly defined timelines and protections for existing and future consumers. Second, distribution companies need streamlined processes that do not shift arbitrarily between decentralised and centralised approvals. Pakistan does not have the luxury of policy whiplash in its energy transition. Demand is rising and capacity payments are choking public finances.]]>
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			<title>Afghan brinkmanship</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605543/afghan-brinkmanship</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605543/afghan-brinkmanship#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 26 21:14:09 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Border tensions rise as Pakistan hits Taliban targets after ceasefire breach]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Afghan Taliban are once again in breach of trust as they carried out unprovoked firing along the border with Pakistan. This is a negation of the Urumqi accord brokered under Chinese mediation that led to the cessation of hostilities between the two countries. Pakistan&#39;s security forces had no choice but to retaliate under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, destroying several military check-posts and hideouts of terrorists inside Afghanistan.

The precision-guided air strikes across Chaman and in Laghman province reportedly dismantled an arms depot, the ABF battalion headquarters and the Nangarhar brigade. A Taliban post near the Mohmand sector was also rooted out in what appeared to be a carefully-guarded and well-calculated response from Pakistani forces against Afghan military targets in line with international law.

This disruption speaks of Kabul&#39;s agenda to keep the region on tenterhooks. The reclusive regime is playing into the hands of a global terror nexus, aptly supported by Indian intelligence agencies. This claim stands substantiated as al-Qaeda has recently admitted its collusion with the Afghan Taliban.

This nefarious collaboration has repeatedly been documented by the UN, too. It goes without saying that this phenomenon of exporting terrorism is undermining regional stability, derailing geo-economics and devastating the social fabric of Pakistan, which is primarily on the receiving end.

Pakistan is well within its rights to go ahead with hot-pursuit operations against the Afghan authorities. Such operations are solely meant to dismantle the terror infrastructure and deter Taliban rulers from aligning themselves with rogue elements. At a time when the entire region is in a state of flux amid the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, this brinkmanship from the Afghans is unwarranted.

The fact that Kabul is unmindful of problems being faced by its own people in the form of hunger, employment and lack of security, is nothing but callousness. Taliban must rescind this policy of otherness and hate.]]>
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			<title>Child marriage law</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605322/child-marriage-law</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605322/child-marriage-law#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 26 20:07:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Punjab raises marriage age, but Pakistan’s fragmented laws still enable child marriage]]>
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				<![CDATA[Child marriage in Pakistan has never been sustained by law alone. Instead, it has survived because the law itself has remained fractured. The passage of the Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2026 by the Punjab Assembly is therefore significant for what it exposes across the federation, which is a deeply uneven legal regime.

Punjab&#39;s decision to raise the minimum age to 18 for both boys and girls and criminalise violations with stronger penalties brings it closer to a rights-based framework. Yet the larger picture remains inconsistent. Sindh has, since 2014, maintained the most progressive position, setting 18 as the minimum age for both genders and criminalising child marriage with enforceable penalties.

That law has survived legal scrutiny, including review by the Federal Shariat Court, strengthening its legitimacy. More recently, Balochistan has also moved in the same direction. Its 2025 legislation raised the legal age to 18 and introduced penalties for facilitators, signalling a shift in a province where enforcement challenges remain significant, but intent is now clearer.

The real outlier is Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Despite repeated attempts, legislation to raise the age has stalled. As a result, the province still largely operates under the colonial-era Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, where the minimum age for girls remains 16.

The same outdated threshold continues to apply in several other jurisdictions, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This patchwork creates a legal absurdity. A girl deemed a child in Karachi, or Quetta, can still be legally married in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Punjab&#39;s move, then, is a move in the right direction. Laws alone will not end child marriage, but inconsistent laws ensure it persists. A national consensus - whether through parliamentary legislation or judicial direction - must establish 18 as a non-negotiable minimum age across Pakistan.]]>
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			<title>Trump life attempt</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605321/trump-life-attempt</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605321/trump-life-attempt#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 26 20:07:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Security breach at Trump event exposes serious failures despite no loss of life]]>
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				<![CDATA[Saturday&#39;s assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents&#39; Dinner was resolved without any loss of life, but it was hardly a win for the people charged with keeping the president safe. The would-be assassin managed to clear several layers of security in the hotel, and was just a few metres away from the door to the hall where Trump, his wife and several others were visible from the back of the hall.

If not for the blind luck of security officials who were able to tackle him, including a Secret Service officer who was shot - the only person injured in the incident apart from the shooter himself - the incident could have been much worse, given that the shooter was able to fire six shots with a pistol and had other weapons on his person as well.

Reports suggest that the suspect was able to get a large cache of weapons past security by using a rather simple plan - showing up at the hotel a day earlier and renting a room. Most US hotels do not check guests&#39; luggage, so while security officials were making life difficult for event attendees, hotel guests and passersby outside the hotel, the would-be killer was already inside.

Part of the reason Trump and his team have to label the exercise as a success is that Trump&#39;s downsizing of the government - ostensibly to finance last year&#39;s tax cuts - and reallocation of law enforcement resources to go after his political rivals have led to severe corrosion of the investigative capabilities of the FBI and other agencies.

As for why it happened, Trump and his allies may blame his opponents for using heated rhetoric, but he is the one who, in recent weeks, has threatened to exterminate an entire civilisation, called for sedition charges against critics, including war heroes, and celebrated the deaths of two of his perceived opponents, including the brutal murder of Hollywood director Rob Reiner.

Trump allies, however, still see nothing wrong with him celebrating the deaths of widely respected, law-abiding Americans. American politics does need the temperature turned down through consistent messages of national unity, but it has to start from the White House.]]>
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			<title>Out of hibernation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605320/out-of-hibernation-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605320/out-of-hibernation-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 26 20:07:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Government's policy of continued solitary confinement of Khan adds to marginalising the opposition]]>
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				<![CDATA[A TTAP huddle after a hiatus of weeks has raised a plethora of questions as to its proactivity. The six-party opposition alliance has been in limbo since its inception, and has been unable to choreograph a strategy either in terms of salvaging a cornered PTI or in coming up with a prompt rejoinder on national issues.

This apathy has made the opposition no more than a lame-duck entity, struggling to find its due space in national politics. Moreover, the PTI, infected with divisions, has been wayward even in chalking out a policy to seek lawful release of its leader, Imran Khan, from jail.

The no-show of the party&#39;s bigwigs outside Adiala Jail, where Khan remains incarcerated, hints at many at the helm being compromised &ndash; something that has caused resentment among the party&#39;s supporters and sympathisers. The only exception is Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who has been able to mobilise street power to some extent, as nearly all other stalwarts are seen hiding in their comfort zones.

This has badly damaged the party&#39;s erstwhile credentials of being a mass-mobiliser, as it now appears to rely merely on social media. The leaders of the opposition in the Senate and the National Assembly are mere figureheads, having failed to stir the momentum needed for an active opposition either on the floor of the parliament or on the streets.

The government&#39;s highhandedness, especially its policy of continued solitary confinement of Khan, has come as an added impetus to marginalise the opposition. Denial of lawful relief to Khan and other jailed leaders and witch-hunt campaigns have added to the political instability prevailing in the country.

The manner in which Khan&#39;s eye ailment is being handled is in contravention of the jail manual and norms of democracy and decency. Thus, the opposition must synergise its potential around real issues by building pressure and subsequently force the government to enter into a dialogue. Enough of rhetoric and playing to the gallery.]]>
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			<title>Deaths from measles</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605125/deaths-from-measles</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605125/deaths-from-measles#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 26 19:34:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2605125</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Measles is a highly contagious disease that can linger in the air in a room for two hours]]>
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				<![CDATA[While the Government of Pakistan is engaged in awareness campaigns to improve healthcare literacy and vaccine knowledge during the ongoing World Immunisation Week, the country has reported at least 71 children who have lost their lives to measles this year. As predicted in 2025, falling vaccination rates have significantly impacted global efforts to curb preventable diseases. When combined with the remnant effects of Covid-19, the world is gradually becoming witness to what medical professionals were afraid of.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can linger in the air in a room for two hours, making it one of the fastest spreading infectious diseases. Therefore, meaningful prevention for measles can only mean one thing: vaccination. Thankfully, the government has added to the funds for its immunisation programme. The MR (measles and rubella) vaccine has been provided by the government for free at public health centres during numerous vaccination campaigns, including one that is ongoing. But unfortunately, when vaccine availability is not an issue, vaccine hesitancy becomes a hurdle.

There are currently over one million &#39;zero-dose&#39; children in Pakistan i.e. those who never received a vaccination. For certain regions, healthcare accessibility causes the persistence of such a large number, but oftentimes, it is the stigmas attached to vaccines.

Last year, the US reckoned with the highest recorded number of measles cases in three decades. Currently, Bangladesh is also experiencing a measles outbreak much worse than ones in preceding years. Over 11 million cases of measles were recorded globally in 2024. So, while it is true that a measles outbreak is not singularly our problem, Pakistan remains among the top ten countries with the highest number of zero-dose children. Its heightened vulnerability demands bigger awareness campaigns so that vaccines can reach every single child living in the remotest areas - for the sake of their lives and our future.]]>
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			<title>Policy rate increase</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605124/policy-rate-increase</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605124/policy-rate-increase#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 26 19:34:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2605124</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Monetary Policy Committee has effectively acknowledged that the inflation trajectory is no longer benign]]>
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				<![CDATA[A 100 basis point increase in the policy rate rarely comes as a surprise. Yet when the SBP reverses course after nearly three years of easing and pushes the benchmark to 11.5%, it signals unease. Monday&#39;s decision is, at its core, a pre-emptive strike against a storm that has not fully arrived but is clearly forming. The trigger lies beyond Pakistan&#39;s borders. The deepening Middle East conflict, particularly the ripple effects of the US-Israel war on Iran, has unsettled global energy markets, driven up freight and insurance costs, and injected volatility into already fragile supply chains. For an import-dependent economy, imported inflation follows swiftly, often brutally.

The Monetary Policy Committee has effectively acknowledged that the inflation trajectory is no longer benign. Headline inflation has already crept up to 7.3% and core inflation to 7.8%, with projections now hinting at a return to double-digit territory in the coming months. In such an environment, inaction would risk un-anchoring expectations, a far more dangerous outcome than the immediate pain of higher borrowing costs. This is why the central bank has chosen to act early, even when growth indicators, including a 3.8% expansion in the first half of FY26, suggest a fragile recovery. Pakistan&#39;s economic stability remains hostage to external shocks. A spike in global oil prices translates almost mechanically into domestic inflation. The rate hike, therefore, is signalling discipline to markets. This is the perennial policy dilemma. Tightening too late fuels inflation. Tightening too early chokes recovery. In choosing the former risk, the central bank has made a judgement that inflation, once unleashed, is far harder to tame.

What this decision ultimately signifies is caution shaped by experience, that stability must remain reactive rather than resilient. Let&#39;s see whether this trade-off delivers lasting stability or merely postpone the coming threat.]]>
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			<title>Rupture and thaw</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605123/rupture-and-thaw</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2605123/rupture-and-thaw#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 26 19:34:23 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2605123</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Hezbollah, nonetheless, has come up with its own five conditionalities]]>
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				<![CDATA[Hezbollah&#39;s refusal to be part of the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has come as a spanner in the works. The truce was brokered last week in Washington, as Iran and the US were haggling for a dialogue in Islamabad. The decision of the pro-Iran group not to be part of the truce deal is a setback to efforts for congeniality among the arch foes. The war casualties in Lebanon have surpassed 2500, with more than 1.6 million displaced by Israeli attacks. Hezbollah&#39;s Secretary General Naim Qassem has apparently taken a high-moral ground, as he claims that talks with the Jewish state is a &#39;negation of dignity&#39;, vowing to continue &#39;defensive resistance&#39;.

Hezbollah, nonetheless, has come up with its own five conditionalities: halt to the aggression; Israel&#39;s withdrawal from occupied territories; release of detainees; return of residents to all their places; and reconstruction. This pronouncement has coincided with fresh onslaught on Hezbollah&#39;s infrastructure in Lebanon&#39;s eastern Bekaa Valley, as well as areas in southern Lebanon, broadening the scope of destruction and dealing a lethal blow to all the hopes for a thaw in one of the most volatile frontiers in the Middle East.

This rupture is fraught with serious consequences. It seems Hezbollah has simply raised the stakes for the parties mediating in the conflict, and literally bypassed the writ of the Lebanese government which was eager for a quid pro quo with Israel. That means no solution can be attained until and unless the Hezbollah militia is on board, as it is an indispensable power-broker in the conflict.

However, efforts for perpetually ending the war in the Middle East have witnessed some positive developments as Tehran has opted for regional diplomacy. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi&#39;s back-to-back visits to Islamabad, and to Muscat and Moscow, have opened vistas of a negotiated settlement. This must graduate into a broad-based understanding over reopening the Strait of Hormuz by both Tehran and Washington for uninterrupted navigation, as well as returning to the dialogue table for a composite deal of the brave hearts.]]>
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			<title>Space achievement</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604946/space-achievement</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604946/space-achievement#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 26 Apr 26 19:02:12 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604946</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A quiet but consequential stride has been taken in Pakistan's long and uneven journey into space]]>
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				<![CDATA[A quiet but consequential stride has been taken in Pakistan&#39;s long and uneven journey into space. The successful launch of the EO-3 satellite marks a shift in how the country may begin to use space technology. Launched from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre aboard a Long March 6 rocket, the indigenous electro-optical satellite developed by SUPARCO represents a meaningful upgrade in Pakistan&#39;s Earth observation capability. Unlike earlier efforts that were often limited in scope or reliant on external data streams, EO-3 promises real-time, high-resolution imaging that can directly inform national decision-making.

Its stated applications are not abstract. Urban planning in cities like Karachi has long suffered from outdated mapping and unregulated expansion. Disaster management remains reactive, as seen in recurring floods, where damage assessments are slow, and coordination is weaker than it should be. Agricultural planning continues to depend on fragmented data despite the sector&#39;s centrality to food security.

EO-3, if integrated properly, can begin to close these gaps by offering consistent, verifiable and timely information. Yet, the temptation to celebrate the launch without interrogating its aftermath must be resisted. Pakistan&#39;s history with high-visibility projects is littered with initiatives that begin with promise but falter at the stage of institutional integration. The real test of EO-3 lies not in orbit, but on the ground. Will provincial planning departments have the capacity to use satellite data effectively? Will disaster management authorities shift from ad hoc responses to predictive frameworks? Will agricultural ministries embed satellite analytics into policymaking rather than treat it as an auxiliary input?

This milestone, therefore, should be treated as a starting point for institutional reform. The private sector must be incentivised to develop applications that translate raw satellite data into usable insights. Pakistan has often looked to the skies for prestige. EO-3 offers a chance to look back at the ground with greater clarity.]]>
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			<title>Election on the rubble</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604947/election-on-the-rubble</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604947/election-on-the-rubble#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 26 Apr 26 19:02:12 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604947</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Democracy bends easily in Pakistan]]>
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				<![CDATA[Democracy, it seems, bends easily in Pakistan. A natural disaster, a security alert, an administrative hiccup - any of these can become grounds to defer the people&#39;s mandate. Yet, thousands of miles away, in the shattered landscape of Gaza and the occupied West Bank, ballots are being cast amid the rubble.

Municipal elections have commenced in parts of Palestinian territory, marking the first such exercise since the devastation unleashed by Israel&#39;s offensive that began in October 2023. No single actor prompted these elections. They are the result of a convergence of decisions and pressures, with the primary initiative coming from the Palestinian Authority itself. With over 72,000 reported dead and infrastructure reduced to ruins, even the act of voting appears improbable. Yet, nearly 1.5 million registered voters in the West Bank and tens of thousands in Gaza&#39;s Deir el-Balah have stepped forward. Polling stations, operating under constraints as basic as daylight due to power shortages, are functioning. The ballot persists even in these adverse conditions.

These elections are, in many ways, a necessity born of paralysis at the national level. Presidential and legislative elections have remained frozen since 2006, leaving municipal bodies as one of the few functioning democratic outlets. Donor pressure has also played its part, tying aid to visible governance reforms. Even then, the exercise is limited. Hamas is absent from the electoral field, and many voters remain deeply sceptical about any meaningful change under occupation. And yet, participation continues.

Some describe the process as symbolic, others as a faint hope of incremental improvement. For the Palestinians, the vote is as much about survival as it is about governance. It signals a collective insistence that even in the bleakest circumstances, public voice must not be extinguished. Pakistan would do well to reflect on this.]]>
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			<title>KCR revival!</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604948/kcr-revival-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604948/kcr-revival-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 26 Apr 26 19:02:12 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604948</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh government's effort to revive Karachi Circular Railway appears on course to hit another familiar roadblock]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh government&#39;s latest effort to revive the Karachi Circular Railway appears on course to hit another familiar roadblock, as anti-encroachment efforts are faced with the prospect of razing actual roads and whole houses, as the extent of the encroachments has reached comical levels. Aside from the majority of encroachments that have gotten so close to the line as to make it dangerous to move a train across, in some parts of the city, a person following the railway track would end up walking face-first into walls that have been built across the original line.

It was not always so. At its peak, KCR used to transport 6 million passengers per day along its 43km track. It was also profitable. Unfortunately, like all good things in this country, unscrupulous elements worked with uncanny synergy to bring it to its knees. In KCR&#39;s case, these included fare dodgers, corrupt management officials and shady private transport operators.

Today, after about 25 years of efforts to reoperationalise KCR - which was shut down in 1999 - efforts to clear encroachments generate mountains of bad press but achieve little. This is partly because some of the coverage misdirects rage at the government&#39;s failure to provide low-income housing to a place where the mostly poor residents of encroaching properties are blameless victims. The government&#39;s failure to govern may explain the encroachments, but it still does not justify the literal theft of public land and infrastructure. The one-sided victim narrative is unfair, balanced only by citizens&#39; decision to punish politicians for their failure to address the housing crisis by repeatedly re-electing them.

The government needs to reanalyse not only whether KCR can be restored, but whether it can be made economically viable. From what is known, both of these seem to be uphill tasks. If this is the case, it would be better to cut our losses and focus on improving and expanding the bus network and road-based rapid transit. The loss of KCR would be unfortunate, but to keep wasting public money on a doomed project would be a tragedy.]]>
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			<title>Congo fever season</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604771/congo-fever-season</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604771/congo-fever-season#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 26 19:46:49 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604771</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Festive cattle markets turn risky as Congo fever threat returns ahead of Eid]]>
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				<![CDATA[Every year, as Eid al-Azha approaches, millions of Pakistanis flood into cattle markets with their children. More than being a place of merely buying and selling, the &#39;mandi&#39; is a cultural event for people, as working men dedicate an entire day to visit cattle markets where haggling and purchasing are a collective experience. It is one of the most distinctly Pakistani ways of celebrating &#39;Barri Eid&#39;, and concurrently, also one of the most dangerous.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever - better known as Congo fever - is a tick-borne viral disease that spreads through bites from infected ticks or through direct contact with the blood and tissues of infected animals. Sindh has already recorded its first death from the virus this year, which unfortunately does not come as a surprise. Cases of Congo fever have reliably spiked around Eid al-Azha for years, with a steady increase in livestock trading spreading the virus across the country for quite some time. The reported mortality rate for Congo fever is between 10 and 30 per cent, which is high enough to become cause for grave concern.

The cultural aspect of Eid-ul-Azha in Pakistan makes containment much more difficult compared to other countries that deal with mass slaughtering. Instead of a contactless system where families pay to have their sacrificial animals butchered at slaughterhouses and promptly delivered at their doorsteps, Pakistanis prefer to be directly involved in all steps of the process. This means nights spent camped with their animals and blood flowing freely through the streets on the day of Eid.

Such a scenario demands an inexcusable practice of precautions, including gloves during slaughter, anti-tick spray on animals and keeping children at a distance during sacrifice. A fever should not be taken lightly during this season, in order to protect lives while maintaining the sanctity of sacrifice.]]>
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			<title>Migration death toll</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604770/migration-death-toll</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604770/migration-death-toll#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 26 19:46:49 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604770</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan ranks high in illegal migration to Europe, with nearly 7,900 dying on migration routes in 2025]]>
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				<![CDATA[In 1947, Pakistan marked its place on the global map through an idealised notion of migration. Almost 80 years later, the struggle to migrate remains embedded in the very fabric of its people - only now, Pakistanis seek survival through migration to other countries. Economic instability, political turmoil and incessant social challenges have driven throngs of people away from this land, and a large portion are those who opt for unsafe and illegal channels.

While the romanticised concept of a difficult journey in search of a better life seems appealing to many, illegal migration is fraught with obstacles that are often fatal. According to the United Nations&#39; Migration agency, around 7,900 people died or disappeared on migration routes only in 2025. Within the context of a report by Pakistan&#39;s National Commission for Human Rights that ranks Pakistan fifth among countries with the highest illegal migration to Europe, this number is deeply troubling.

The Pakistan government has taken notice of this issue alongside three EU nations - Italy, Spain and Greece. In a conference earlier this year, the four nations agreed to tackle this problem by promoting legal pathways to override illegal means. But this straightforward solution must be viewed through the lens of a struggling citizen who is already financially depleted and socially exhausted.

If those alternate legal pathways are still rife with red tape, people will continue to bet on their lives for the slightest glimmer of hope. On one hand, legal channels must remain unburdened by exhaustive documentation, but on the other, people must be given reasons to stay as well. Inflation and unemployment drive people to extreme measures, which is a direct result of hopelessness. If the government wants to eliminate illegal migration, it must show its people that it cares about their living struggles, and not only when they become statistical liabilities.]]>
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			<title>Food self-reliance</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604769/food-self-reliance</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604769/food-self-reliance#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 26 19:46:49 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604769</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Over 10m Pakistanis face acute food insecurity; experts urge urgent agricultural overhaul]]>
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				<![CDATA[It is heart-wrenching to note that Pakistan, despite being an agrarian state, is well behind the threshold of self-reliance in food security. A host of reasons &ndash; from non-mechanised farming to low-quality seeds, apart from the drastic implications of climate change &ndash; are responsible for this perturbed state of affairs. Water scarcity, salinity and waterlogging, as well as lack of educational opportunities for farmers, are also among the contributory factors.

Thus, the 2026 Global Report on Food Crises &ndash; which says that more than nine million Pakistanis face &#39;crisis&#39; conditions, and another 1.7 million are in the &#39;emergency&#39; category &ndash; should come as a serious warning. It&#39;s time to prepare a contingency plan to ward off this crisis, besides laying out a roadmap for attaining self-sufficiency in agriculture on a war-footing basis.

Pakistan has been on the receiving end in terms of extraordinary monsoon rains, floods and drought over the last few years. The country&#39;s agricultural mosaic is not in order, and a lot of research and technological input is desired to make use of vast swaths of land that are barren, or where appropriate seasonal produce is not planted.

Moreover, cash crops such as sugarcane, rice, wheat and cotton should be harvested on a synchronised model to bring appropriate payback to the farmers. This will come as a bonanza in overcoming the discrepancies that are faced every year with crops getting rotten on farmlands. Last but not least is a policy in conformity with climate change, wherein crops, livestock and grain storage, as well as sophisticated logistics, take precedence over market-related exigent affairs.

As the Global Report on Food Crises has flagged Pakistan among the 10 countries where acute food insecurity is most concentrated, it cannot be left for another day to debate. Three of its provinces have been named in the report for lacking infrastructure and adequate grain production measures, which is worrisome and poses a question mark on governance. It&#39;s time to optimise yield per acre and diversify the plantation pattern to do away with crop deficiencies. This is why the country has become a prime importer of food grains and other auxiliaries, and this tendency must come to an end.]]>
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			<title>Confidence drop</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604611/confidence-drop</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604611/confidence-drop#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 26 20:12:36 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604611</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Business confidence in Pakistan hits negative territory as Gallup survey warns of stalling private investment]]>
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				<![CDATA[Confidence, once shaken, rarely returns on its own. Pakistan&#39;s private sector is now signalling precisely such a rupture, and the warning cannot be brushed aside as routine pessimism. The latest survey by Gallup Pakistan has elucidated the fact that business sentiment has slipped decisively into negative territory, with implications that extend far beyond boardrooms and balance sheets.

Only 41% of firms now describe their performance as good, a sharp drop that reflects more than cyclical discomfort. A majority expects conditions to worsen in the coming months, while perceptions about the country&#39;s overall direction have deteriorated steeply. This may signal a drop in confidence. Such sentiment matters because private sector confidence directly shapes investment decisions and expansion strategies.

When businesses turn cautious, productivity eventually stalls. In a country already grappling with fragile growth, this translates into fewer jobs and lower incomes. Underlying this loss of confidence are structural pressures that remain stubbornly unresolved. A rising share of businesses believes economic management has worsened. That perception, whether fully justified or not, has real consequences. Investment thrives on predictability.

When policy signals appear inconsistent or reactive, uncertainty becomes the default setting, discouraging long-term commitments. Policymaking must also regain clarity and consistency, with transparent communication that reassures investors of a coherent economic direction.

There is also a need to insulate the domestic economy, as far as possible, from external shocks. Building buffers against global price volatility is an essential safeguard. The private sector has shown resilience in the past, often operating despite constraints rather than because of enabling conditions. That resilience, however, should not be mistaken for infinite capacity to absorb shocks. When confidence begins to erode at this scale, it signals that the margin for error is narrowing. Ignoring these signals would be a costly mistake.]]>
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			<title>First Pakistani astronauts</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604610/first-pakistani-astronauts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604610/first-pakistani-astronauts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 26 20:12:36 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistani astronauts head to China for historic space mission, sparking national pride, scientific hope]]>
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				<![CDATA[The selection of two Pakistani astronauts as candidates for a Chinese manned space mission is a moment of immense national pride and a landmark that will hopefully encourage children to dream of reaching the stars. Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud have been chosen as the first foreign astronauts to train for missions to the Tiangong space station, with one of them set to make history as the first Pakistani to orbit the Earth. The prospect of a Pakistani in space has been met with celebration across the country, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing their selection as a proud and historic moment for the country.

The two young men are in China under the terms of a bilateral agreement signed last year. The deal between the China Manned Space Agency and the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission paved the way for collaboration in astronaut training and participation in future space missions. Reports say the shortlisted duo was selected from among several candidates with sterling resumes. The rest of the ship&#39;s crew is expected to be Chinese. The rigorous selection process moved through preliminary screening, secondary evaluation and final selection before the two candidates were announced.

Beyond the diplomatic triumph and the strengthening of ties with our most reliable ally is also an important achievement. A few years into the future, the sight of Pakistani flags on the astronauts&#39; gear will undoubtedly be the moment that hundreds of Pakistani children identify as when their dreams of going to space were born. It may also help curb brain drain to some extent, as brilliant young minds will see that, even in Pakistan, dreams of space travel and research are within reach.

The government should also consider increasing its own investment in science education, scholarships and research infrastructure. Chinese support is always welcome, but the best-case scenario remains that our astronauts learn from the Chinese and help develop local training initiatives.]]>
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			<title>Araghchi in Islamabad</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604609/araghchi-in-islamabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604609/araghchi-in-islamabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 26 20:12:36 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604609</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan hosts Iran-US peace talks in Islamabad to resolve the Hormuz crisis, energy security threats]]>
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				<![CDATA[Peace overtures got a shot in the arm as an Iranian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi agreed to return to Islamabad. This is a leap forward and has come after a nail-biting situation. Behind-the-curtain deliberations have led to this tactful understanding, and Pakistan deserves to be credited for this breakthrough once again. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar indulged in some fence-mending talks, convincing his counterpart of the need to keep the channels of negotiations open. While a high-powered US negotiating team has been in the federal capital for the last few days, it is assumed that the talks led by Araghchi will help iron out differences, enabling the first-tier leadership to once again rub shoulders for a deal.

A host of developments have made this breakthrough possible, and they need to be minutely taken care of. The extension in the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel for three more weeks, coming on the heels of the silencing of guns by the US, has ushered in a lot of goodwill. Likewise, the categorical pronouncement from President Trump that there is no room for nukes in the conflict has come to the relief of peace constituencies worldwide, doubling down on efforts to strike a deal on lessening tensions in the Straits of Hormuz. Coupled with this is the slapping of a toll by Iran for vessels frequenting the Hormuz.

The extreme positioning from both Iran and the US over the water channel has literally obstructed the supply of oil and gas, compelling the International Energy Agency to declare that the world is facing the &quot;biggest energy security threat in history&quot;. Moreover, in view of Trump&#39;s unilateral blockade of Hormuz at the Arabian Sea and deployment of three aircraft carriers in the Mideast, an outbreak of hostilities is just an error of judgment away. The huddle in Islamabad must bear results, and the impasse must come to an end. An extended phase of deliberations with either side refraining from point-scoring will surely lead to a historic accord. Pakistan deserves credit for its relentless efforts to bring the arch foes back to the dialogue table.]]>
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			<title>Stalled Red Line</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604431/stalled-red-line</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604431/stalled-red-line#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 26 20:30:01 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh government must immediately stabilise the project by appointing a replacement contractor]]>
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				<![CDATA[Karachi&#39;s transport crisis persists for decades. What is increasingly indefensible however is how a project designed to relieve that crisis has itself become a symbol of dysfunction. The Red Line BRT, once pitched as a modern answer to the city&#39;s choking arteries, once again stands stalled.

The latest to hit the long-awaited project is the sealing of the office of one of the contractors, paralysing work along one of the busiest stretches of the corridor and putting the entire project to a sudden halt. The Safoora Chowrangi to Hasan Square section is not a peripheral route. It cuts through the academic and commercial spine of the city, feeding into University Road, a corridor already stretched beyond capacity. With work abandoned and machinery pulled back, commuters are left to navigate broken roads and an ever-worsening traffic snarl. Citizens have endured years of disruption with little to show for it. Entire stretches resemble construction zones without construction, a limbo that reflects deeper governance failures. The controversy surrounding contractors only adds another layer of concern. Accountability is necessary, particularly where performance is lacking. But halting work without a seamless transition plan has effectively punished the public more than the contractor. A major urban transport artery cannot be treated as a stop-start experiment where disputes play out at the expense of daily commuters.

The Sindh government must immediately stabilise the project by appointing a replacement contractor through an expedited but transparent process. Clear timelines, publicly communicated, and strict monitoring must follow. At the same time, interim traffic management measures need urgent strengthening to ease the burden on commuters using the affected corridors. Karachi cannot afford for one of its most vital transit projects to remain in limbo. The Red Line BRT was meant to restore mobility to a city in gridlock. Instead, it has come to represent the very paralysis it was supposed to resolve.]]>
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			<title>Digital hearings</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604430/digital-hearings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604430/digital-hearings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 26 20:30:01 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[A digital hearing is only as reliable as the bandwidth it travels on]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court has taken a major step towards making justice more accessible by formally adopting digital hearings across multiple cities. For a judiciary long weighed down by paper files and an adjournment culture, this policy change is welcome. The past system was a logistical nightmare, with lawyers shuttling between various registries of the apex court. Now, geography is no longer a major hurdle. Litigants and judges can participate via videolink from any approved location. Some movement remains, as hearings will still occur in Islamabad or the four provincial registries. However, if the plan succeeds, the court could take the next logical step - allowing participation from locations closer to people&#39;s homes, such as district court complexes. These changes would show that, instead of running from pillar to post, the law will meet citizens where they are.

Naturally, there are pitfalls to avoid. A digital hearing is only as reliable as the bandwidth it travels on. Anyone who has sat through a glitch-ridden Zoom call knows that a stuttering connection can erode the decorum and precision that legal argument demands. Remote hearings also require a different kind of focus from judges and lawyers, due in part to the impersonal nature of interactions via computer screens. There are also transparency implications. Digital courts must not become opaque courts - public access to virtual proceedings must be codified.

But the long-term potential for good in this decision is definitely a net positive, as it will not only help litigants attend hearings, but will also help clear the massive case backlog, as it should be safe to assume that trials where litigants previously had to travel great distances can be scheduled to allow everyone to participate from easily accessible locations, reducing travel time between hearings.]]>
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			<title>Chagai killings</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604429/chagai-killings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604429/chagai-killings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 26 20:30:01 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan is passing through a critical phase as its western and eastern frontiers pose open-ended interference]]>
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				<![CDATA[The killing of ten workers, including two security guards, at a copper and gold mining site near Chagai is a desperate terrorist act to derail the momentum of development in Balochistan. While the reclusive province is already in the eye of the storm of terrorism, this latest offensive can be read in the wider canvas of geopolitical upheavals, meant to destabilise the country&#39;s growing image as a peace broker.

It is also noticeable that vigilant and astute efforts from the security forces, in cooperation with locals, have resulted in ushering in a relatively serene environment in both Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and this is where the enemy is perturbed. Killing of poor miners speaks of a bigger plot to alter the confidence of investors and foreign collaborators in big-ticket businesses.

The same modus operandi was seen as Chinese workforce, associated with the grandiose CPEC project, was targeted earlier. It&#39;s a success story for Pakistan to be able to win over foreign entrepreneurs&#39; interest in minerals and rare earth metals exploration, and terrorists acts such as the Chagai mine attack speaks of extraterritorial interference.

Pakistan is passing through a critical phase as its western and eastern frontiers pose open-ended interference, whose cross-currents travel deep into all spheres of national life. With a struggling economy and a delicate political environment, it becomes mandatory to raise the guard and ensure that the merchants of death do not get an opportunity to strike back. Last but not least, with Pakistan now well-placed among the explorers and exporters of rare earth metals, a more stringent policy is desired to watch out for black sheep and saboteurs in cahoots.

Chagai and similar incidents of profiling and cold-blooded murder of labourers must elicit national condemnation, as well as a unified response against segregation and sabotage. A beefed-up policy input is desired from locals and community peers to confront this invisible enemy.]]>
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			<title>Floods and lost jobs</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604224/floods-and-lost-jobs</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604224/floods-and-lost-jobs#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 26 19:31:34 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604224</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Climate change affects those more who have had almost no role in shaping it]]>
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				<![CDATA[Apart from the immediate impact on human life and infrastructure, the 2025 floods also had a lasting impact on the job market, washing away some 3.3 million jobs, according to the ILO. This staggering figure is yet another illustration of how much Pakistan has to suffer because of a problem that it has played almost no role in creating - climate change.

Meanwhile, the US, which historically has had the worst impact on the environment, is led by a man who claims climate change isn&#39;t real and whose desire to wage war on windmills rivals Don Quixote. But the problem isn&#39;t isolated to the climate denier in chief.

Even countries that have made massive investments in their own climate preparedness regularly fail to follow through when asked to compensate the victims of their past policies with investments in these developing countries&#39; mitigation infrastructure. This leaves Pakistan and other victims of the developed world&#39;s abuse of the environment to fend for themselves.

Despite some initial post-disaster assistance focused on relief activities, foreign aid usually dries up once the immediate effects of the disaster have been addressed. Unfortunately, just because the flood water has receded and people have begun returning home, it does not mean life goes back to normal.

Millions of people will be without work, a problem that is most pronounced in rural areas, where farmland can be rendered unusable for several months after a flood, leaving daily-wage farmworkers without any means of supporting themselves. According to ILO data, about 78% of the 3.3 million jobs lost were in rural areas.

The ILO&#39;s suggested solutions would go a long way in addressing future climate change-induced calamities, but financing them remains difficult. The world&#39;s great polluters are already unwilling to finance relief work when disasters are beamed live onto their TV and phone screens.

It will be even harder to convince leaders and taxpayers in these countries to finance years-long operations to increase resilience, create alternative employment opportunities, and offer skills training.]]>
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			<title>Pahalgam: one year on</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604223/pahalgam-one-year-on</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604223/pahalgam-one-year-on#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 26 19:31:34 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604223</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Despite repeated assertions, New Delhi has yet to place credible evidence before the international community]]>
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				<![CDATA[A year after the bloodshed in Pahalgam, the questions have not gone away. If anything, they have only sharpened. Twenty-six lives were lost in April 2025 in one of the deadliest attacks in the disputed region in decades. From the outset, India moved with striking speed. Within minutes, an FIR was registered and blame was pinned on Pakistan without the benefit of investigation or forensic clarity.

That haste has remained the defining feature of the episode. Despite repeated assertions, New Delhi has yet to place verifiable, credible evidence before the international community. Islamabad&#39;s offer for a neutral, transparent probe was dismissed, a decision that continues to raise uncomfortable questions about intent.

The sequence that followed suggests that the attack was treated as a strategic opening. Within days, India escalated across multiple fronts. The unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty signalled readiness to weaponise water. Military strikes soon followed, pushing the two nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink.

An apparent attempt to establish a new normal, where unverified allegations could justify cross-border action, proved counterproductive. Pakistan&#39;s response was swift and calibrated. The downing of multiple Indian aircraft during the May 2025 exchanges altered the battlefield narrative and punctured the aura of unilateral dominance that New Delhi appeared keen to project.

The episode, in turn, elevated Pakistan&#39;s standing in diplomatic and strategic circles internationally, positioning it stronger within the region. Equally troubling has been the information war that accompanied the crisis. Sections of the Indian media amplified claims that were neither independently verified nor diplomatically substantiated.

Over the years, a pattern has emerged where allegations are swiftly levelled against Pakistan, often without publicly verifiable proof, followed by attempts at escalation. Each time, however, the response has been met with a befitting counter-response, reinforcing a reality that coercive signalling in South Asia does not go unanswered. If there is a lesson to be drawn, it lies in the futility of trying to construct precedent through unverified claims.]]>
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			<title>Amidst blockade and ceasefire</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604222/amidst-blockade-and-ceasefire</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604222/amidst-blockade-and-ceasefire#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 26 19:31:34 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604222</guid>
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				<![CDATA[New status quo is tantamount to one step forward and two steps back]]>
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				<![CDATA[The uneasy peace prevailing in the region amidst the ceasefire got a sigh of relief as President Trump announced its unilateral &quot;indefinite&quot; extension, hoping for a serene rejoinder from the Iranians. It is an important step toward de-escalation and provides the necessary space for diplomacy and confidence-building between the arch foes.

The decision from White House came in the backdrop of another considerate plea from Pakistan, wherein the Field Marshal and the Prime Minister requested sticking to the silencing of guns. The fact that Trump agreed to oblige is appreciated and deserves to be reciprocated by the other side.

Tehran, however, has some serious reservations as it blames Washington for the trust deficit. It says that there will be &quot;no talks with the US until the blockade is lifted&quot;. This positioning is creating an impediment to furthering a second round of talks in Islamabad, as Iran believes the blockade itself is a &#39;violation of the ceasefire&#39;.

This new status quo is tantamount to one step forward and two steps back. The US delegation, too, is on a standby in Washington, as the security mosaic in the Strait of Hormuz is deteriorating with time. Reports say that at least three container ships were hit by gunfire in the backwaters of Iran on Wednesday, as the IRGC says it is &quot;prepared to deliver new surprises&quot;, warning of dire consequences over any &quot;renewed act of aggression&quot;.

There is something tangible missing in the wavelength of negotiations. The language of intimidation, apparently on the part of President Trump, as he keeps on threatening &quot;use of massive power&quot;, has derailed the level-playing field achieved in Islamabad. Likewise, the Iranians are unrelenting and want the Americans to &quot;succumb&quot; to their stated positions before hitting the table.

That means Trump&#39;s capitulation at home. This stalemate is undermining the hard work of mediation and facilitation that has been underway for almost a month. It&#39;s time to resume the dialogue instantly so that an impasse is avoided.]]>
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			<title>Exam paper leak</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604018/exam-paper-leak</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604018/exam-paper-leak#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 26 19:53:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604018</guid>
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				<![CDATA[WhatsApp paper leaks highlight systemic failure in exam security]]>
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				<![CDATA[Another exam paper scandal has surfaced in Karachi in which individuals running multiple WhatsApp groups, monetising access to Matric and Intermediate papers, were arrested. Such incidents have, for the umpteenth time, exposed how examination systems in Pakistan are designed, managed, and ultimately compromised. The details matter. Organised groups were selling access to Matric and Intermediate papers through WhatsApp, reaching hundreds of students and collecting large sums.

Whether the papers were genuine or, in some cases, generated using past patterns and AI is almost beside the point. Students were willing to pay because they believed the system could be gamed. That belief is built over years of repeated leaks and inconsistent enforcement of security mechanisms. Thus, by merely focusing only on the criminal network, the larger failure is missed. Add to this the absence of credible deterrence mechanisms, and the calculation becomes straightforward. The risk of being caught is low, the payoff is high and the moral cost has steadily eroded. Technology has widened the gap between offence and response. Messaging platforms allow rapid and discreet distribution. Payments move digitally and leave trails that are often traced only after the fact. Meanwhile, the official response remains reactive. By the time law enforcement intervenes, the exam has already been compromised and the damage absorbed.

What is required is not another round of arrests but a redesign of how examinations are secured and administered. Paper handling must be tightened at every stage with clear accountability. Access must be limited and monitored. Systems that allow last-minute changes or secure transmission need to be prioritised. For now, the immediate question is credibility. An examination system that cannot guarantee fairness cannot command respect. The Sindh exam board must chart out a long-term strategy to reclaim credibility.]]>
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			<title>Lingering threat of polio</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604017/lingering-threat-of-polio</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604017/lingering-threat-of-polio#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 26 19:53:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604017</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[99% vaccination success masks risks posed by thousands of missed children]]>
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				<![CDATA[The recently concluded nationwide anti-polio campaign is being called a resounding success by those directly involved in the vaccination drive. The National Emergency Operations Center reports that over 44.7 million children under five received the vaccine, a figure just shy of the 45 million target, representing over 99% coverage.

A polio expert calls the result &quot;an achievement&quot;, noting that previous campaigns routinely missed 800,000 to 1 million children, roughly three times as many as this year&#39;s 300,000. Assuming the figures are accurate, this is certainly good news, but casting it as a triumph may be a bit more complicated. While 300,000 children represent a tiny fraction of the target number, it is still a very high raw number. If only 1% of 1% of the 300,000 children who missed vaccination were to get polio, it would be 30 children - almost exactly the number of new cases detected in all of last year.

The unvaccinated children are thus not a marginal gap. In fact, it is why polio eradication efforts keep failing in the last mile. It is also notable that family travel, outright refusals and security constraints are still being blamed, despite all of these problems having workarounds. For example, the government could set up vaccination counters at bus-stops and airports, while continuing to use awareness campaigns to encourage people to seek out vaccinations, rather than waiting at home for vaccinators to come knocking.

A single missed child does not, in itself, represent success or failure, but in context, with many adults not fully vaccinated, the risk of an outbreak remains high. Eradication is a zero-sum game. A single missed child is a potential reservoir for the virus, especially as the high-transmission season approaches. The government and its international partners must view missed children not as a statistical improvement, but as a central, urgent challenge requiring tighter tracking, more effective community engagement, and resolute support for the brave health workers who risk their lives on the front lines.]]>
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			<title>IMF's  'do more'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604016/imfs-do-more-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2604016/imfs-do-more-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 26 19:53:54 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2604016</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[IMF ups pressure: 75 conditions tie bailout to deep economic restructuring]]>
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				<![CDATA[A &#39;do more&#39; list with a call to &#39;do it within the timeframe&#39; has been handed over to the government by IMF. The global lender seems to believe that it&#39;s time to walk the talk, and let stringent reforms be ushered in the body politic of an economy that has long been surviving on borrowed money, and wherein ad hocism is the way to go.

The continuation of the $7 billion bailout package extended under the Extended Fund Facility is now subject to a total of 75 conditionalities, including 11 new ones which have to be fulfilled to reflect in the upcoming federal budget. Most of the conditionalities pertain to course-correction in our wayward approach of dealing with things, as the intention now is to streamline the affairs in the spheres of decision-making, governance and private sector development.

The salient features regarding the new conditionalities are startling as they will surely come as a tab on our sovereignty of economic muscles. As agreed by the finance minister in Washington, the beleaguered dispensation would enact amendments to the SEZ Act and STZA to phase out existing fiscal incentives; withdraw the privilege in granting tax incentives; prohibit EPZs from selling their goods in the domestic market to avoid evasion of taxes; grant 6,000 acres of land in Karachi on lease to develop SEZs; bar courts from taking cognisance of commercial legal disputes related to these zones; and ease restrictions on forex regulations. One of the most troubling demands, likewise, is to ensure that the government will not go back on its commitment to raise electricity and gas prices, to the detriment of production units that are struggling to make ends meet. A piece of consolation, however, is the recognition to increase the BISP payout from Rs14,500 to Rs19,500, from January 2027.

IMF&#39;s micro-monitoring of our economy is now documented, and the only way forward for us is to ensure that our bookkeeping is ordained, pilferages are plugged and discretions that go out to promote corruption are checked through institutional management. Most of these reforms should have been part of our economy, only if we had not looked the other way.]]>
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			<title>Highest HCV burden</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603827/highest-hcv-burden</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603827/highest-hcv-burden#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 26 19:41:06 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Unsafe medical practices fuel Pakistan’s hepatitis crisis, demanding urgent reform and widespread screening]]>
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				<![CDATA[The healthcare system of Pakistan is currently in such a state that it sometimes punishes citizens for seeking treatment. Many people walk into a hospital seeking affordable medical care and, unbeknownst to them, walk out carrying a highly dangerous viral infection. More often than not, they find out too late.

The reuse of syringes, unsafe blood transfusions and improper sterilisation practices are unfortunately alarmingly common. This negligence has propelled Pakistan to the top of global rankings for Hepatitis C (HCV), with 9.8 to 10 million cases.

Combined with Hepatitis B (HBV), between 13.8 and 15 million Pakistanis are believed to be living with either virus, and only 25 to 30 per cent are aware of it. The abnormally high number of cases is a direct result of an unchecked medical culture which allows for over 600,000 quack doctors to operate in Pakistan. Often unlicensed, these clinics prioritise profits over patients&#39; safety and end up exposing millions of people to a deadly infection.

The trouble with HCV, which directly impacts the liver, is that its symptoms can take decades to materialise. By then, the liver has suffered enough damage to be at risk of scarring, failure or cancer. In a country where even basic outpatient treatment is difficult for many citizens to access, expecting them to show up for unprompted and regular medical checkups or screening tests can only be wishful thinking.

A programme for the elimination of HCV by 2050 was kick-started last year, but the government has a pattern of identifying problems only to abandon them - much like last year&#39;s crackdown on a Punjab hospital responsible for 331 children contracting HIV. What is needed now is relentless, accessible screening across all regions and income groups, alongside the permanent closure of unlicensed clinics. HCV should be treated no less than a medical crisis.]]>
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			<title>Smart metering</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603826/smart-metering</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603826/smart-metering#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 26 19:41:06 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603826</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan bets on smart meters to fix power losses, but tech alone may not solve deep-rooted inefficiencies]]>
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				<![CDATA[A costly overhaul of Pakistan&#39;s creaking power distribution system is now underway, with the government betting heavily on smart metering as a cure for chronic inefficiencies. The agreement between the Power Division and the International Finance Corporation to roll out around 10 million smart metres marks one of the most ambitious attempts yet to digitise electricity consumption and billing. At stake is not just technological modernisation, but the financial survival of a sector long crippled by theft and losses.

Smart metres, in principle, promise a decisive break from the past. Unlike traditional devices, they allow real-time monitoring of consumption and automated billing - sharply reducing the room for human interference and manipulation. With installation now mandatory for new connections and a phased conversion planned for commercial and industrial users, authorities expect improved transparency and a significant dent in line losses.

The reported 40% reduction in procurement costs further strengthens the case that this transition, though expensive, is becoming more financially viable. Yet, technology alone cannot outpace systemic weaknesses. Electricity theft in Pakistan is a deeply entrenched socio-economic problem, often enabled by collusion and weak enforcement.

Moreover, the assumption that smart metering is foolproof deserves scrutiny. Around the world, even advanced systems have faced hacking attempts and bypass techniques. Pakistan&#39;s own history suggests that where there is a loophole, it will be found - and exploited.

There is little reason to believe that this culture will vanish overnight simply because the meters have become digital. That does not diminish the importance of the initiative. On the contrary, it emphasises the need to get it right. This is a massive investment, and it must deliver measurable results. Digital transformation of the power sector is long overdue, and smart metering could be a step in the right direction. But it is no silver bullet.]]>
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			<title>Fixing the gaps</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603825/fixing-the-gaps</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603825/fixing-the-gaps#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 26 19:41:06 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603825</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[US–Iran talks may proceed in Islamabad as diplomacy holds despite tensions]]>
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				<![CDATA[The second round of talks between the US and Iran is likely to go ahead in Islamabad this week if proper diplomatic haggling to convince the two sides to see rationality is pushed further. The US delegation is reportedly on its way to the federal capital, whereas the Iranians are in a fix in the wake of a high-sea drama featuring one of their vessels taken over by US Centcom.

The good point, however, is that both sides are sticking to diplomacy and have expressed their intentions to go ahead, provided necessary safeguards are set in.

President Masoud Pezeshkian&#39;s belief that &quot;every rational and diplomatic path should be used to reduce tensions with the US&quot; is a welcome gesture, indicating that Iran is on board for a second round of talks.

While both Iran and the US have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, in telephonic conversations with Presidents Masoud and Trump, respectively, have tried to scale down the maximalist positions.

The issue at the moment seems to be one of trust deficit, as the arch foes are getting introspective before they go on to sign on the dotted line. This is a common phenomenon which can be addressed through more CBMs and goodwill gestures. The pivotal issue at the moment is the future of the Strait of Hormuz, i.e. how it has to be navigated in the post-war world order. Serenity is still in vogue, and there is all the hope that the ceasefire ending on April 22 (tomorrow) will be extended, providing more room for consensus-building across the table.

Pakistan&#39;s hectic diplomatic efforts, which are now lauded globally, are an opportunity in disaster and deserve success. President Trump&#39;s desire to travel to Islamabad if a deal is reached awaits some more fence-mending with the Iranians. The involvement of Beijing in the process is a value-added instrument in realpolitik, and must come as a guarantee for both Tehran and Washington on contentious issues. The posturing must take a backseat.]]>
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			<title>Cricket corruption</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603638/cricket-corruption</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603638/cricket-corruption#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 26 20:39:56 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603638</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Right-arm off-break bowler started with a no-ball, bowled a wide and ended up conceding 15 runs in the over]]>
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				<![CDATA[Allegations of match-fixing in cricket are back in the news &ndash; this time involving Canada, an associate member of the ICC. Under scrutiny is their T20 World Cup 2026 match against New Zealand, which they lost by eight wickets. More specifically, what has raised concerns is the fifth over bowled by Canadian captain Dilpreet Bajwa during New Zealand&#39;s successful chase of 173 runs at Chennai that was completed in 15.1 overs. The right-arm off-break bowler started with a no-ball, bowled a wide and ended up conceding 15 runs in the over.

The ICC was prompted to launch an investigation after a documentary aired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation made wide-ranging allegations of corruption and poor governance against Canada Cricket, specially focussing on the over-bowling by the Canadian skipper. The world cricket governing body is also investigating allegations by the former Canadian coach, Khurram Chohan, that senior Cricket Canada board members put pressure on him to select certain players.

All this, and other recent scandals &ndash; including suspension of four domestic cricketers during India&#39;s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and fixing attempts against eight British club cricketers during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 League &ndash; prove that the ICC has not fully succeeded in purging what used to be called the gentlemen&#39;s game of corrupt practices, despite its best efforts.

The fact is that the rot runs very deep, with not just the players but also the officials in authoritative positions involved. The lure of money is so strong that even harsh punishments, like a 17.5-year ban on a British club cricketer, have failed to serve as a deterrent. While there is a need for shifting the focus from punishment to prevention, adopting systemic integrity is a must, which means that the entire system, including board members, coaches and administrators, must operate with the same moral standards that are expected of athletes.]]>
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			<title>Licensing Sindh's teachers</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603637/licensing-sindhs-teachers</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603637/licensing-sindhs-teachers#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 26 20:39:56 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603637</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Teaching in Pakistan has long been neglected by the government, school administrations]]>
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				<![CDATA[Of late, Sindh seems to be making meaningful strides in its education sector, especially with the Sindh Teachers Education Development Authority&#39;s (STEDA) latest introduction of teaching licence examinations. These exams are meant to assess a candidate&#39;s proficiency and applicability for distinct academic stages and are now being made mandatory for anyone wishing to become an educator.

A formalised stage of assessment undertaken by an external committee is always a welcome addition for highly critical roles. The teaching profession in Pakistan has long been neglected by the government and, oftentimes, by school administrations as well.

Teachers are pressured to conclude syllabuses by the end of the year as their sole responsibility, barring any discussions on the development of critical thinking skills, personal development or exploration. Teaching licence examinations will raise teaching standards and ensure merit-based recruitment of professionals who carry the necessary skills to meaningfully interact with children.

Although it is also important to highlight the barriers to entry that this reform might create in the job market for women. Teaching licence examinations cost a fee, and so does the renewal of the licence. As the teaching profession is primarily made up of women, many of whom are already financially dependent, the cost might become the very thing that holds them back from financial freedom. Therefore, fee waivers must be provided appropriately to candidates who deserve them.

The first phase of this initiative has already produced 646 licensed educators out of over 4,000 candidates in 2025, hailing from various regions of Sindh. These results must also be utilised as an occasion to improve training opportunities in cities with identifiably lower marks, so no aspirant is left behind solely because they lacked access to better resources. This is an important moment in Sindh&#39;s history for both teachers and students, and it must pave the way for further betterment.]]>
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			<title>Super El Nino</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603636/super-el-nino</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603636/super-el-nino#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 26 20:39:56 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603636</guid>
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				<![CDATA[PMD says El Niño conditions expected to develop during the summer, could intensify into a &quot;super El Niño&quot; by Aug-Sept]]>
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				<![CDATA[Wild weather caused by climate change is almost certain to affect agricultural output and potentially cause natural disasters this year, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warning that the subcontinent may witness a subdued monsoon this summer as the warming El Ni&ntilde;o weather phenomenon is expected to form later this year.

The PMD says El Ni&ntilde;o conditions are expected to develop during the summer and could intensify into a &quot;super El Ni&ntilde;o&quot; by August or September. The worry is that historically, El Ni&ntilde;o has caused warming patterns in the Pacific Ocean that suppress monsoon rainfall across South Asia, bringing drier-than-usual conditions to our region. Top international climate scientists have also warned that difficult conditions will continue into 2027, as recovering from droughts and floods, even under the best of circumstances, takes months, not days.

For Pakistan, this would cause a brutal economic shock. Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, contributing over 23% to GDP and employing 37% of the labour force. Yet, growth in the sector has been flat for many years, aside from a few aberrations in individual crop yields.

The Economic Survey of Pakistan for 2024-25 recorded a meagre 0.56% agricultural growth, with major crops contracting by 13.5% due to climate change and other pressures. Cotton production, essential to the textile industry, plunged by over 30% last year, and a weak monsoon would rule out recovery. Low yields of food crops would also increase food insecurity and inflationary pressure on citizens.

Given the potential for harm, we hope the government has already begun planning measures to reduce the impact of the anomalous weather patterns, lest we see yet another period of human suffering and economic upheaval being worsened by the absence of preparation. In the long term, reports such as these should increase the impetus for building more small dams and other reservoirs to protect against both floods and droughts.]]>
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			<title>Addressing OOSC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603491/addressing-oosc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603491/addressing-oosc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 26 19:10:36 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603491</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh’s plan to enrol out-of-school children lacks clear steps, raising concerns over real impact]]>
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				<![CDATA[A highly ambitious plan to enrol half of the 25.1 million out-of-school children in Pakistan by 2030 has just been undertaken by the Sindh government in collaboration with UNICEF. The move aims to tackle larger issues such as poverty, child labour, gender discrimination and access to education over the next five years to improve the country&#39;s literacy. It goes without saying that &#39;addressing&#39; issues like poverty, discrimination and the like is a highly simplified way to take charge of a deeply complex problem.

In a discussion featuring senior government officials, Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah pointed out that the reasons behind school dropouts must be understood for effective interventions. But what does &#39;understood&#39; mean within this context? When the general public routinely decries inflation, exorbitant school fees and a substandard quality of education in public schools, are practical and comprehensive measures not warranted as an immediate next step?

Considering Pakistan&#39;s current state of education, there is a pressing need to move beyond buzzwords that merely identify the problem but offer no concrete steps as respite. Instead, there is a greater need to address core issues underlying problems such as poverty and child labour.

These issues include administrative corruption, misplaced funding, incompetent implementation of previous initiatives and a regressive culture that still wants girls to only aspire for marriage.

Only time will tell whether this plan comes to fruition or not. But a transparent plan of action will surely offer predictive clues about its success - and as of yet, the plan does not exist. Improving the country&#39;s literacy is a lengthy challenge. But for now, it seems like the government is focused on asking questions that have been answered countless times before. For any meaningful progress, the government must introduce action, not just rhetoric.]]>
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			<title>HIV uptick</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603490/hiv-uptick</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603490/hiv-uptick#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 26 19:10:36 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603490</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Karachi sees alarming rise in child HIV cases, with unsafe hospital practices driving infections]]>
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				<![CDATA[Hospitals are meant to be places of cure, not corridors where life-altering infections are silently passed on. The surge in paediatric HIV cases across Karachi strips away any illusion that this is an isolated medical anomaly. It is, instead, the consequence of a healthcare system that continues to tolerate unsafe practices despite knowing their cost.

Figures emerging from the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre and Indus Hospital point to a disturbing escalation. Admissions of HIV-positive children have multiplied within a year, with a significant number under the age of five.

The pattern of transmission is even more alarming. Only a small fraction of these children were born to HIV-positive mothers, while a clear majority have gotten it through healthcare-related exposure at hospitals, primarily through reusable syringes. Unsafe practices have long persisted, often enabled by weak oversight and, at times, by a troubling preference for injections and drips over safer oral medication. Memories of the Ratodero HIV outbreak should have ensured that such negligence never resurfaced.

That tragedy exposed deep cracks in infection control, particularly in Sindh. Committees were formed, recommendations were drafted, and assurances were made. What is now unfolding suggests that those measures were neither sustained nor taken seriously enough to prevent recurrence.

An immediate and independent investigation into the concerned hospitals must go beyond surface-level inquiries and examine procurement chains, sterilisation protocols, disposal mechanisms and blood screening systems. Containment efforts must run in parallel.

Widespread screening, especially of children who may have been exposed through medical procedures, is essential. Contact tracing and long-term treatment support will be critical in limiting further spread and managing existing cases. Pakistan&#39;s long struggle with hepatitis B and C has already demonstrated how quickly infections spread when basic safeguards are ignored. The rise in HIV cases follows the same path, only with more severe and irreversible consequences.]]>
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			<title>Shuttle diplomacy</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603489/shuttle-diplomacy</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603489/shuttle-diplomacy#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 26 19:10:36 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan’s diplomacy brings US and Iran to talks after 40 days of conflict, averting wider crisis]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan&#39;s mediation efforts to broker perpetual peace between the United States and Iran are now universally acknowledged. It is a marvellous achievement to influence the arch-rivals to get to the table after a destructive onslaught of 40 days that pushed the Middle East to the brink of a disaster, and threatened a global food and energy crisis.

Islamabad was there in the midst at a time when world capitals were getting introspective and keeping their fingers crossed. Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accomplished a novel task as they undertook a shuttle diplomacy to usher in sustainable peace in the region.

The three-day visit of the Army Chief to Tehran came at a time when a fragile ceasefire was in place, as the US had undertaken its own unilateral blockade of the Straits of Hormuz in a tit-for-tat with Iran.

The fact that the visiting delegate was able to iron out differences after meeting the Iranian President, the Speaker and the commander of Khatamul Anbiya Headquarters was a laudable feat, which resultantly led to a ceasefire in Lebanon too and the reopening of Hormuz for all vessels.

Field Marshal Munir rightly underscored the need for dialogue, de-escalation and peaceful resolution of the outstanding issues through sustained diplomatic engagements. The appreciation that his rubbing of shoulders had drawn from the Iranian leaders is a treatise in regional articulation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, likewise, air-dashed to Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, assuring them that striking a long-term peace deal is inevitable, which was duly recognised as the way to go, paving the way for a second round of talks slated to be held in Islamabad.

The ceasefire in vogue till April 22, however, is increasingly getting precarious. There are signals of unrest from both Washington and Tehran, as maximalist positions are unduly propping up. That might be for domestic consumption too.

This is where some serious consideration is desired to ensure that the dividends of an uneasy peace are not lost at the hands of brinkmanship. The world community has a responsibility to stand behind Pakistan and let the adversaries agree on permanent congeniality.]]>
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			<title>Women's quota or rigging?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603337/womens-quota-or-rigging</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603337/womens-quota-or-rigging#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 26 19:50:10 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603337</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[India’s seat expansion plan sparks fears of gerrymandering despite claims of boosting women’s representation]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Indian government&#39;s proposed legislation to expand the Lok Sabha to 850 seats from its current strength of 543 is, on the face of it, a landmark move aimed primarily at increasing women&#39;s representation in parliament. The government says it wants to &quot;operationalise&quot; the 33% women&#39;s reservation law ahead of the 2029 general elections - with the goal of correcting a significant democratic deficit.

India is relatively slow out of the gates - Pakistan has had a similar women&#39;s representation law on the books for over 70 years, and according to the current formula, reserves 60 of its 336 seats in the National Assembly for women, or almost 18% of all seats.

While seat reservation is not a perfect solution to increasing women&#39;s representation - the vast majority of women on reserved seats in Pakistan owe their positions to family and financial ties, rather than activism or personal achievements - in India, the opposition is voicing much deeper concerns about the ruling BJP using the law to mask a gerrymandering exercise to guarantee it more seats.

This is because the opposition is worried that the BJP will, among other things, try to use unverified data from the upcoming census to map constituencies in a way that is favourable to it during delimitation. The law also appears to reward states that failed to implement national population control initiatives while penalising states that did the job right. Unsurprisingly, most of the worst-run states are BJP strongholds, and they would see their seats raised disproportionately if they were also given an imbalanced number of reserved seats.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally assured lawmakers that the proportional representation of states will remain unchanged and that no injustice will be done, Modi, to put it lightly, is not a man of his word, and his refusal to give the opposition written assurances within the legislation is a genuine cause for concern.]]>
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			<title>Silent treatment</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603336/silent-treatment</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603336/silent-treatment#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 26 19:50:10 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603336</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bushra Bibi’s swift return to jail after eye surgery raises serious concerns over care, transparency, and rights]]>
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				<![CDATA[Silence around the health of a prisoner is never a trivial matter. Reports that Bushra Bibi, the former first lady, underwent eye surgery and was swiftly moved back to Adiala Jail have raised more questions than they have answered, and in matters of custody, unanswered questions are themselves a cause for concern.

According to jail authorities, the spouse of ex-PM Imran Khan was diagnosed with retinal detachment, operated upon at a private hospital in Rawalpindi and subsequently discharged after a single night of observation. The sequence sits uneasily with both prison protocols and basic medical prudence. Retinal surgery typically requires careful post-operative monitoring to guard against complications that can compromise vision permanently.

A one-night hospital stay followed by immediate transfer back to a prison environment does little to inspire confidence that such monitoring is being adequately ensured. More troubling is the information gap. There is little clarity on whether her family has been fully apprised of her condition and of the success of the surgery, or the risks that it entailed. The right of a patient - even one in custody - to have their immediate family informed is fundamental.

The government must act to close this credibility gap. Members of her family, along with designated representatives from her party, should be allowed to meet her and assess her condition firsthand. Political actors, particularly within the PTI, must also move beyond statements of concern. Pressure, where warranted, must be channelled through legal and institutional avenues to ensure that due process is followed.

Custody does not suspend a citizen&#39;s right to proper medical care, nor does it permit ambiguity around their well-being. When the state takes responsibility for an individual, it assumes an even greater obligation to uphold care. In this case, both appear to be in short supply.]]>
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			<title>Truce over Lebanon</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603335/truce-over-lebanon</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603335/truce-over-lebanon#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 26 19:50:10 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603335</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Lebanon ceasefire boosts US-Iran talks; fragile calm must hold to sustain momentum toward regional peace]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prospects for a comprehensive peace plan in the Middle East got a shot in the arm as a ceasefire came into being between Israel and Lebanon. The fact that guns are silenced for 10 days has provided an added impetus to behind-the-curtain talks between the US and Iran. Pakistan&#39;s mediation efforts deserve a word of praise, and they duly stand acknowledged by the diplomatic community.

The troublesome frontier of Lebanon was acting as an impediment as Tehran had made it a conditionality to include it in the wider mosaic of peace talks, warning the Jewish state of severe retaliation. Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh had said that any ceasefire must include all conflict zones &quot;from Lebanon to the Red Sea&quot;, describing it as a &quot;red line&quot; for the Islamic Republic.

The cessation of hostilities over Lebanon are resting on a razor-edge, fraught with serious consequences on anything going wayward. Hezbollah has warned that it has its &quot;finger on the trigger&quot; because of being &quot;wary of the enemy&#39;s treachery&quot;. Likewise, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun believes that direct negotiations with Israel are &quot;crucial and the gateway for proceeding with negotiations&quot;, as French President Emmanuel Macron exhibited his concern by saying that a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel &quot;may already be undermined by ongoing military operations&quot;. Thus, it is pertinent for all parties concerned to walk the tightrope of caution, and ensure that the security imbroglio of Lebanon is addressed once and for all. It has acted as a gangrene in the region owing to uninterrupted meddling of Israel in the affairs of its northern security-starved neighbour, prompting intervention from Iran in support of Hezbollah militia.

It&#39;s time for the tactful parleys underway to bear full dividends. The goodwill expressed by Iran by reopening the Straits of Hormuz for all vessels during the Lebanon ceasefire is a win-win proposition. President Trump has also hailed it as a welcome development, hinting at a second round of peace talks to be held in Islamabad. The ceasefire is a catalyst on the path of perpetual peace, and must be upheld.]]>
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			<title>Mpox spread</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603149/mpox-spread</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603149/mpox-spread#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 26 18:59:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603149</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rising cases in Karachi and Khairpur, linked to local transmission, signal that the virus is spreading]]>
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				<![CDATA[Containment is no longer the operative word. The steady rise in locally transmitted Mpox cases across Sindh has pushed the situation beyond early warning into a phase that demands a coordinated public health response.

With the provincial tally now at 25 confirmed cases and nine deaths, the trajectory is deeply concerning. The addition of fresh cases in Karachi and Khairpur, coupled with official acknowledgment that all infections are linked to local transmission, signals that the virus is no longer confined to isolated clusters.

Khairpur, with 18 confirmed cases, has clearly emerged as the epicentre, but the spread to Karachi and Sukkur underscores a wider geographic risk that cannot be ignored. Out of 122 reported suspected cases this year, a significant number have tested positive, suggesting that surveillance may still be catching up with reality.

In outbreaks of this nature, delays in detection often translate into exponential spread. That nine lives have already been lost is a stark indicator of both the virulence of the outbreak and the fragility of existing containment measures. Hospitals and clinics must now be subjected to strict, enforceable sterilisation audits with zero tolerance for non-compliance.

Authorities have rightly initiated contact tracing, but this effort must be expanded in both scale and speed. If more cases are confirmed, it should trigger a rigorous mapping of contacts, supported by adequate testing capacity and isolation facilities.

Public communication, too, requires urgency and clarity. Mpox spreads primarily through close contact, and simple protective measures can significantly reduce risk. Yet awareness remains uneven, particularly in districts where healthcare access and literacy are limited. A targeted, multilingual communication strategy is essential to bridge this gap.

What is unfolding in Sindh is not merely a provincial concern. The mobility between cities such as Khairpur, Sukkur and Karachi creates a pathway for wider national spread if decisive action is not taken now.]]>
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			<title>Unconscionable conditions</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603150/unconscionable-conditions</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603150/unconscionable-conditions#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 26 18:59:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603150</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In Karachi, three sanitation workers went into a drain without proper equipment, never came back alive]]>
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				<![CDATA[Protests by daily-wage sanitation workers in Rawalpindi this week are a clear reminder of a crisis we have willfully ignored for far too long. These workers risk their lives every day to keep our cities clean, yet they are forced to demand even the most basic amount of job security through regularisation of their services.

Consider the sheer physical toll of their labour. In Karachi, three sanitation workers recently went into a drain without proper breathing equipment or safety kits and never came back alive. And such cases are hardly an aberration. Most sewage repair and servicing work is done with little more than a hammer and an iron rod. In some areas, workers are given absolutely no protective gear or clothing, leaving them to wade through human and industrial waste.

Some workers will buy masks and gloves out of pocket, but given their measly paychecks, the only equipment they can afford is usually not built to purpose or is outright substandard. This leaves them susceptible to several respiratory and skin diseases, some of which are also deadly.

Sanitation workers&#39; status as daily wagers leaves them in a difficult financial position, both in the short and long term. As daily wagers, they only get paid for days worked, meaning there is no such thing as paid time off or paid sick leave - even though their jobs are often what makes them sick.

Meanwhile, most workers also do not qualify for EOBI or other pension schemes and are often ineligible for several types of government benefits because they are hired through third-party contractors.

The Rawalpindi Waste Management Company regularised 1,000 workers earlier this year, proving that the government has the power to provide sanitation workers with fair, full employment conditions. This should now be the rule, rather than the exception. After a short qualifying period, sanitation workers should be made eligible for security and benefits that actually reward them for doing some of the jobs that no one wants to do.]]>
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			<title>Saudi generosity</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603148/saudi-generosity</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2603148/saudi-generosity#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 26 18:59:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2603148</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Gap in reserves was articulately overcome through a strategic intervention by Pakistan]]>
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				<![CDATA[Riyadh has once again rescued Islamabad&#39;s fragile balance sheet by doling out an additional $3 billion. This magnanimity has come at a time when Pakistan is facing a severe crunch as it is obliged to pay back $3.5 billion to the UAE which had refused to roll over the same.

This hole in reserves was articulately overcome through a strategic intervention by Pakistan which went ahead to stand firm with Saudi Arabia amid the changing regional dynamics, especially in the wake of geopolitical upheavals of the US-Israel against Iran. With the fresh inflows, Saudi Arabia has become the single largest donor to Pakistan with total deposits worth $8 billion.

While this financial tranche has come to bail Pakistan out of an exigent situation, the country also plans to seek another $2.5 billion funding under the IMF&#39;s ongoing External Fund Facility. The current programme, featuring $7 billion funding, is likely to mature in September next year.

The impact of the Middle East war in the form of rising inflation, slump in economic growth and shortfall in remittances has placed Pakistan in a peculiar situation, calling for out-of-the-box solutions. The Washington-based lender, however, on the premise of Pakistan&#39;s remaining SDR facility could agree to another soft loan of up to $2 billion. This would, however, come at a cost &ndash; compelling the government to agree to more stringent regulations for constituencies that are already taxed to the core.

The Saudi grace is highly appreciated as the kingdom has not set any specific timeline for debt repayment, enabling the battered economy to have time to plan and stand on its feet. More such bountiful inflows from other friendly countries, especially China, and lending agencies such as ADB, could help Pakistan sail through this troubling tide of imbalance in income and expenditures.

It will also help in keeping intact forex reserves of around $16 billion, necessary for three months of imports. The point is: Pakistan must take serious steps to come out of this borrowing syndrome in all sincerity.]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/Editorial-New11312243333323323333331332233233323231223331322333332333333233/Editorial-New11312243333323323333331332233233323231223331322333332333333233.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
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			<title>Taunsa's HIV saga</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2602967/taunsas-hiv-saga</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2602967/taunsas-hiv-saga#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 26 18:28:46 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2602967</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hundreds of lives ruined, and the only penalty turns out to be a slap on the wrist]]>
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				<![CDATA[The BBC&#39;s harrowing investigation regarding the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Taunsa not only exposes the many wrongs in our healthcare system, but also the state&#39;s utter disregard for the citizens it is supposed to protect. A documentary by the British broadcaster shows nurses injecting children through their clothes, syringes being reused, and unqualified volunteers drawing medicine from blood-contaminated vials. The scale of neglect leads many to worry how there were not even more victims who had gotten infected with deadly diseases.

The response from the authorities is an illustration of how easily addressable problems snowball when confronted by incompetence and denial. After initially acknowledging in March last year that 106 children had been infected and promising to crack down on this malfeasance, authorities simply looked away. The BBC&#39;s follow-up revealed that little has changed. Unsafe practices continue, and new HIV cases continue emerging - at least 331 children tested positive for HIV in Taunsa between November 2024 and October 2025. Of the parents tested, fewer than one in 20 were HIV-positive, confirming that almost all of the children were infected by our broken medical system.

The hospital&#39;s medical superintendent has dismissed the undercover footage as &quot;staged&quot;, but the documentary has not been challenged in a court of law. Meanwhile, the previous superintendent had barely begun serving a suspension for negligence leading to the fiasco when he was reappointed to another government clinic, where he continues to treat children. Hundreds of lives ruined, and the only penalty turns out to be a slap on the wrist. This is not a failure of the system. This is exactly what the system is meant to do - protect itself from accountability. The government must launch a third-party investigation into the allegations. This is not a matter of someone getting a little sick because of a mistake. Children&#39;s lives have been ruined, and those responsible must face criminal prosecution if the government wants to stop such cases from taking place in the future.]]>
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			<title>IMF's forecast</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2602966/imfs-forecast</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2602966/imfs-forecast#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 26 18:28:46 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2602966</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[IMF's projections show that the economy is holding its ground, and that alone is no small achievement]]>
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				<![CDATA[Fresh projections from IMF have offered a sobering, yet not entirely discouraging, snapshot of Pakistan&#39;s economic trajectory. According to the global lender, economic growth is now expected to settle at 3.5% in the next fiscal year, down from earlier estimates, while inflation is projected to rise to 8.4%. In isolation, these figures may appear underwhelming. Placed within the context of a volatile global environment and heightened regional tensions, however, they signal that stability is holding, even if momentum remains constrained.

The downward revision in growth is primarily the result of external pressures rather than a collapse of domestic fundamentals. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, coupled with oil price assumptions ranging between $100 and $120 per barrel in adverse scenarios, has forced the IMF to recalibrate expectations globally. For Pakistan, the implications are particularly acute. With nearly 90% of its energy imports sourced from the region, any disruption translates directly into higher import bills and constrained fiscal space. Yet, there is a degree of resilience embedded in the projections. The IMF has retained the current year&#39;s growth forecast at 3.6%, aligning with other international assessments and suggesting that the economy has, at the very least, avoided slippage. This consistency, modest as it may seem, is critical for market confidence. Investors are less concerned with rapid expansion than with predictability, and Pakistan, after years of sharp fluctuations, is beginning to offer just that. Inflation, however, remains the more immediate concern. Having the highest forecasted rate among major international forecasts, Pakistan could face a situation that could test both households and policymakers.

For now, though, the IMF&#39;s projections show that the economy is holding its ground, and that alone is no small achievement. The task for policymakers is to build on this footing - to ensure that stability is maintained.]]>
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