DAWN Editorials 23rd August 2026

Empty overtures

EARLIER this week, the prime minister had extended yet another invitation to the opposition for negotiations, noting that “it takes two to tango”. “I once again invite the opposition for talks […] to support Pakistan’s economic progress and to strengthen democracy,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was quoted as saying. “Now it’s on them how soon they agree to constructive dialogue.”

The ‘offer’ echoed a statement made days earlier by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry in the Senate, in which he told the opposition that “the solution lies in seriousness”. That same day, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Mr Chaudhry had met the opposition leaders of the Senate and the National Assembly. The two sides discussed the appointment of the chief election commissioner, as well as the political situation and political matters, according to a press statement issued by the opposition TTAP alliance.

Yet, if earlier efforts at engagement are anything to go by, little hope can be attached to this latest initiative. The government has also made the possibility of talks more complicated by mishandling a Supreme Court order to have former PM Imran Khan medically examined. Its actions have only increased bitterness in Mr Khan’s party, the PTI, and emboldened those elements within it who are more inclined to push for confrontation. Meanwhile, the government’s most important coalition partner, the PPP, has started courting the opposition for support for its own agenda, which includes blocking the government’s legislative activities. Another formidable opposition force, the JUI-F, has since entered the picture and is signalling that it will join hands with the opposition alliance to challenge the government. These developments do not point towards any inclination for a sit-down.

To cap it off, the PML-N itself does not seem to be on the same page. The Punjab chief minister on Friday fired a fresh salvo at the PPP and PTI, accusing one of corruption and the other of spreading anarchy. This signals a disconnect between the different tiers of the PML-N, whose senior leaders appear more amenable to rapprochement than the younger lot. It is clear, then, that there is currently no clear path to a national dialogue, no matter what leaders appear to say. And yet, talks still seem to be the best way forward for all political stakeholders. The civilian leadership must realise that, whatever their differences, they are relevant mainly because their opponents are too. A democracy needs competing ideas and forces to shape and check legislation. If only for the purpose of self-preservation, the political factions must find a modus vivendi and agree to honour its terms.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2026

Beyond the tax form

FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is right to wonder why salaried taxpayers have to navigate a tax return form so complicated that even an MBA graduate would struggle to fill it. But that concern will mean little unless the authorities simplify the form. The salaried class is among the most documented and compliant segments of the economy. Deduction of their tax at source leaves little room for concealment or manipulation. But they continue to face a disproportionate compliance burden when filing returns. Simplifying the return form, as has been done for traders, would be more than a convenience. It would recognise that taxpayers who already fulfil their obligations should not have to deal with unnecessary complexity. But easier filing alone will not address the larger problem. Salaried taxpayers need substantially greater relief than what was offered in the FY27 budget. They have borne a heavy tax burden for years, while inflation has eroded their real incomes. In many households, nominal salary increases have merely compensated for higher food, housing, education, transport and utility costs, while progressive taxation has pushed more income into higher tax brackets.

The salaried middle class should not be an endlessly convenient source of revenue. Unlike large parts of the informal economy, salaried workers have little opportunity to understate income, negotiate tax liabilities or shift earnings outside the formal system. Their compliance is automatic. This highlights the basic issue of tax fairness. Broadening the tax base is essential, particularly by bringing undertaxed segments of the informal economy into the net. Revenue mobilisation should not rely disproportionately on those who are already fully documented. The government’s efforts to register traders through a simplified fixed-tax regime will be useful only if they produce a balanced distribution of the tax burden. It is about time the government revisited the income-tax structure for salaried people, raised the thresholds at which higher rates apply and ensured that future salary-tax adjustments take inflation and real purchasing power into account. Pakistan needs a wider tax base, not simply higher taxation of the easiest taxpayers to identify. Providing meaningful tax relief to the salaried class along with simplifying the return form should be the government’s primary objective.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2026

Reviving hockey

THE recent World Cup campaign has demonstrated that Pakistan’s fight to restore their place in the global hockey elite continues. Yet, there are promising signs. Pakistan had failed to qualify for hockey’s showpiece event last time out, having also missed out on the last three Olympic Games. But while their opening match — a 4-1 reverse against England — was a painful reminder of how far the former four-time world champions have fallen, the national team bowed out with a 3-3 draw with Wales and a fighting 5-3 loss against India. Unfortunately, Pakistan have not beaten their neighbours in the last decade — unlike Pakistan, the administrators across the border have diligently worked at promoting the sport. India were bronze medallists at the last two Olympics Games; their resurgence stemming from sustained investment in the grassroots and creating a domestic ecosystem. In recent times, it has become evident that success in hockey does not rest on talent alone. What also counts is how that talent is harnessed. India used their failure to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a wake-up call. It led to the formation of the Hockey India League that transformed their fortunes. Pakistan needs to do the same. Earlier this year, the systemic rot in the sport was laid bare when the national team — participating in the FIH Pro League — was stranded in Sydney and forced to stay in a guest house.

It subsequently led to an overhaul of the Pakistan Hockey Federation with federal secretary for inter-provincial coordination Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani being appointed as the country’s hockey chief. Mr Wani has made some strides, notably appointing Dutchman Bob Veldhof as the national team coach. He has laid out an ambitious plan to rebuild hockey and announced the start of the league, while also creating a pathway to connect school hockey with district, provincial, national and international levels. In a break from the past, such plans and promises should be properly implemented.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2026