DAWN Editorials 16th August 2026

Balochistan’s wounds

ALTHOUGH Balochistan has been experiencing varying degrees of tumult for over two decades now, currently, the troubled province is witnessing near-constant terrorist activity and lawlessness. The rulers in both Islamabad and Quetta often downplay the situation, but there are moments when they themselves admit that all is not well in Balochistan.

For instance, on Friday, when the nation was celebrating Independence Day, the province’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti extended an olive branch to those engaged in violence. Mr Bugti advised the lawless elements to “return to the national mainstream” and talk to the government. However, he added, and rightly so, that the state would not talk to those who were involved in the killing of innocent people.

In recent times, terrorist activity in Balochistan has become noticeably brazen. While ordinary citizens and security personnel are often targeted, even the high-level guardians of the state are not safe. On Friday, Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove’s convoy came under attack as he was returning to Quetta from Kalat. The minister survived the ambush, but a number of personnel who were accompanying him were wounded in the attack.

Elsewhere, security forces have not yet given clearance for repair work on a gas pipeline that was blown up by the terrorists. The latter’s act of sabotage has deprived several towns of gas.

While the chief minister has once again invited ‘angry’ elements for talks, the state has yet to create conducive conditions for dialogue to get off the ground. At this point, some introspection is required: the state has alienated even those political elements in Baloch society that have been peacefully pursuing their rights.

This attitude must change. In the short term, a genuine process of reconciliation can begin by inviting both veteran Baloch politicians and younger activists to the table, and listening to their grievances. Questionable cases against peaceful activists should also be reviewed. If the state is able to build confidence through such measures, the next step can be taken to address long-term goals, such as ensuring that the people of Balochistan are given the first right to their province’s vast mineral wealth.

The province’s miserable socioeconomic numbers also need the state’s immediate attention; this may take decades to fix, but the first step must be taken now. Claims that hostile foreign forces are stirring up trouble in Balochistan carry much weight. These forces must be exposed and kinetic action should continue against those involved in terrorism in Balochistan.

But a long-term solution lies in taking the political path and involving the genuine representatives of the residents. The people will be waiting to see what practical steps the state takes to take forward the process of reconciliation in the province.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2026

Tax scheme

THE Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade and Industry has formally endorsed new measures introduced to ease regularisation of businesses, and urged local shopkeepers and traders to register with the FBR. It is not often that the private sector takes initiative in this regard. Registration will allow eligible retailers to avail themselves of FBR’s new Fixed Tax Asaan Scheme, introduced a few months ago to encourage unregistered businesses to enter the formal tax system. Under the scheme, eligible retailers with an annual turnover of up to Rs200m will pay a fixed tax of 1pc of gross turnover, subject to a minimum annual payment of Rs25,000. The scheme, introduced after the failure of the Tajir Dost Scheme, has been tailored to recommendations laid down after extensive consultations between the government and traders. It is, therefore, incumbent on the latter to use the opportunity to improve compliance.

Attempt after attempt to get retailers to register with the tax authorities has failed to deliver the desired results. Meanwhile, the taxman has placed a disproportionate burden on the documented economy, with the salaried sector alone contributing far more in income tax than the amount collected from retailers through relevant withholding taxes. According to provisional FBR tax figures for the last fiscal, income tax deducted from salaried individuals was Rs633bn, compared to about Rs70bn collected from retailers under two relevant withholding tax provisions. That imbalance has placed an unfair burden on those already within the documented economy, while allowing significant economic activity outside the tax net to remain undertaxed. This fiscal year, the government must enforce compliance consistently and fairly. The fiscal space it has available has been restricted for far too long because of lobbyists and pressure groups. It is commendable that trade leaders are now championing the Fixed Tax Scheme themselves, but if compliance remains low, the government must act. The new arrangement must not become another means of protecting one politically influential constituency from scrutiny while those already within the documented economy continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of the tax burden. The government has offered traders an easier route into the tax system; they must now reciprocate by registering and declaring their actual turnover, while the state must ensure that the rules are applied to everyone.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2026

In choppy waters

MORE than three months after Somali pirates captured an oil tanker carrying a multinational crew, including 11 Pakistanis, a safe return is still not in the offing. Fresh video footage shows stranded captives appealing to the government to negotiate with their captors “before it is too late”. Many are sick, and there is no access to medicine. Initially, Pakistan relied on a third party for updates. The Foreign Office recently stated that their release was “complicated and difficult”. New directives from the foreign minister emphasise consistent coordination, together with consolidated domestic and international diplomatic engagement to rescue the sailors. The lack of progress on the matter is very disheartening.

Ship owners often opt for flag vessels from countries that have scant or no regard for labour rights — and Pakistan is emerging as an appropriate choice. Accountability from official authorities and ship owners for the prolonged turmoil faced by the stranded mariners — along with adequate compensation for their families — should have long been instituted. A tracking dashboard operating in conflict-ridden waters to ensure navigational security and swift emergency responses is nowhere in sight. We forget that seafarers form the spine of global trade. Labour rights advocates must compel ship owners and other stakeholders to refrain from coercing sailors to venture into troubled waters. The future challenge for labour rights bodies involves empowering mariners to exercise their right to decline high-risk journeys without any consequences. For now, time is of the essence. Security agencies and the government must put in place a cogent international strategy and recognise the need for naval intervention. Unfortunately, official complacency conveys how dispensable ordinary citizens have become. That feeling will only change if actions are more effective. The well-being of every Pakistani must take precedence over any other state or global concern.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2026