Dawn Editorials 17th October 2025

Going nowhere

PAKISTAN has done it again. The country has held on to its spot near the bottom of the Henley Passport Index, ranking 103rd out of 106, just above Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. For the fifth time in a row, our passport holds the dubious distinction of being among the world’s least powerful. Consistency demands commitment and successive governments have shown plenty of that, especially when it comes to standing still. While others jostle up and down the index, Pakistan’s passport remains a model of stability. Holders of the green booklet can travel visa-free to a grand total of 31 destinations — a list that mostly includes islands most have never heard of and countries one might only encounter in a geography quiz. Meanwhile, top spot holders, Singaporeans, can breeze into 193 destinations, and South Koreans into 190.

One could blame geopolitics, global suspicion, or our own bureaucratic enthusiasm for paperwork. But the truth is that passport strength reflects far more than airport convenience: it mirrors international trust, governance standards and economic credibility. The weaker the state, the weaker its passport. And ours, sadly, carries the weight of poor diplomacy, inconsistent policies, and a brand image that does not inspire confidence abroad. What can be done? For starters, the government might invest in the kind of soft power that cannot be stamped or embossed — improving governance, security, and regional relationships. Trade, tourism and academic exchange do more for mobility than slogans about ‘image building’. A modern passport design or biometric upgrade will not help if the world continues to view Pakistan as unpredictable rather than a reliable partner with a coherent vision for engagement. Until then, Pakistanis can take comfort in the one privilege our passport still offers: the ability to stay firmly grounded. After all, who really needs jet lag anyway?

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2025

Grassroots deprived

THE Punjab government’s move to bulldoze the controversial Punjab Local Government Bill, 2025, through the provincial assembly raises serious concerns about its commitment to devolution and democratic governance at the grassroots. The haste with which the new law was passed suggests an intent to retain provincial control over local governments rather than empower them as required under the Constitution. The ruling PML-N pushed the new law just days after the ECP announced plans to hold local elections in December under the 2022 law, rejecting the Punjab government’s excuses for delaying new legislation. In doing so, the ruling party summarily dismissed objections to several provisions of the bill, not only from the opposition but also from its own members who had urged amendments in the draft to ensure meaningful devolution and effective local governance.

At the heart of the controversy are provisions that contradict the Constitution’s Article 140-A, which mandates provinces to devolve political, administrative and financial powers to local governments. The new law, however, effectively renders elected bodies without any decision-making and policymaking authority for the foreseeable future as key powers would remain concentrated in the hands of the provincial government and be exercised through the bureaucracy, undermining the autonomy of local representatives. Equally controversial is the provision allowing the government to conduct the first phase of elections on a non-party basis, effectively preventing opposition parties from participating and gaining control of the third tier of government. The elimination of the district tier, a crucial link between provincial and grassroots governance, further undermines the system. Additionally, the new voting mechanism limits citizens to casting a single vote rather than multiple votes for different seats, effectively narrowing their right to representation. Overall, the law in its current form appears less about empowering citizens and more about enabling the provincial government to retain control at the local level, even after establishing local bodies. The province has remained without elected local governments — except for a brief period when the courts overturned their dissolution — since 2019. Establishing new local bodies under the present law will only prolong this gap. True devolution demands stable, empowered local governments, not administrative experiments that undermine elected representatives and democracy. The Punjab government should review the law to restore the true spirit of local governance.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2025

Spiralling conflict

WITH at least three major cross-border clashes within a week, there is an urgent need to address the core issues affecting Pak-Afghan ties, and prevent the situation from transforming into a full-blown conflict.

Though a temporary truce was reached on Wednesday, and the prime minister indicated yesterday that Islamabad was ready to talk if Kabul met certain conditions, there had been fierce fighting earlier when the Afghan Taliban launched an attack on the Chaman border. Pakistan hit back, targeting camps in Kandahar used by TTP terrorists, as per the military. Explosions were also heard in Kabul.

Earlier in the week, there were similar exchanges at Kurram, after the Taliban attacked Pakistani positions on Oct 11. Before the outbreak of hostilities, explosions were heard in Kabul last week, in which the TTP chief was reportedly targeted. Pakistan has not officially acknowledged this operation.

While the nation must be defended against foreign aggression, a long-term conflict against Afghanistan should be eschewed. These hostilities have occurred at a time when the Afghan Taliban foreign minister was touring India. In a display of diplomatic theatre, India, which does not recognise the Kabul regime, gave a rousing welcome to the Taliban delegation.

This is quite a turnaround for New Delhi, which had previously demonised the Taliban, and financially and diplomatically supported their Afghan rivals. In fact, after the Taliban retook Kabul in 2021, Narendra Modi reminded the UN that Afghanistan must “not be used to spread terrorism”. Now that anti-Pakistan terrorists have found sanctuary in Kabul, India seems to have forgotten these concerns.

Therefore, Pakistan must act with sagacity. The eastern border is already hot, and further adventurism from New Delhi cannot be ruled out. Hence, a conflict with the Afghan Taliban will only benefit India.

For Pakistan, the best option in these difficult circumstances appears to be to coordinate a response with regional allies, including China. For one, Muslim states, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have been instrumental in brokering truces. These channels need to be kept open.

Moreover, at the recent Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, in which both Pakistan and Kabul’s representatives participated, it was declared that Afghan soil cannot be “used as a threat to the security of neighbouring countries and beyond”. Pakistan faces a grave threat to its security from TTP terrorists who have found a sanctuary in Afghanistan. The UN, too, has endorsed Pakistan’s concerns, saying that the Taliban provide the TTP with “logistical and operational space”, while also providing training sites for Al Qaeda.

A regional meeting of states should be organised, where Pakistan should present these proofs, and the Afghan side should be asked to clarify. What is beyond doubt is that unless the threat of terrorist groups present in Afghanistan is addressed, the whole region will suffer, not just Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2025