Express Tribune Editorials 14th August 2026

FIFA's crisis of trust

Gianni Infantino built his FIFA presidency on the promise of a clean break from the corruption years of Sepp Blatter. That promise has not survived his own instincts for backroom dealing. A month after the 2026 World Cup closed with record revenues, the FIFA president is fighting for his job after a plan to sell a stake in the World Cup's commercial rights to private investors triggered a global backlash.

Some of the major global football federations have jointly called on him to resign, accusing him of a breach of trust following the collapsed proposal. The plan would have handed a private investor a substantial stake in FIFA's ticketing and commercial rights before it was shelved amid outcry over the World Cup being effectively put up for sale. A letter from three football confederations in this matter is notable for its restraint. It states that leadership in football is not something to be held or demanded, but a duty of service entrusted by the football family. That reframes the dispute as one over whether FIFA's president answers to those who elected him. Reports that Infantino summoned a select group of officials to a crisis meeting in Morocco, rather than convening the full committee in Zurich, only reinforced that suspicion. FIFA's response, warning of a concerted effort to undermine its president, suggests an organisation more focused on managing perception than answering the underlying charge.

FIFA members need an independent forensic review of who conceived the private-investment plan and why the membership was not consulted before terms were negotiated. They need a binding rule requiring confederation and Congress approval for any commercial restructuring above a defined threshold, closing the gap that let one man shop around the World Cup in secret.

HIV probe

Children contracting HIV while receiving treatment at a public hospital is a deeply disturbing development that cannot be allowed to pass as another instance of administrative negligence. The allegations emerging from Karachi's Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital, if established, point to a serious breach of the most basic standards of medical care. A hospital is expected to heal, not become a source of a lifelong infection.

The Sindh High Court has rightly ordered a high-level inquiry to establish how the infections occurred and determine the actual number of those affected. Some reports suggest that more than 10,500 people have reportedly been screened, with 120 testing positive for HIV, while much higher numbers have been cited before the court. The truth must be established without ambiguity, and the families affected deserve nothing less. Of particular concern are allegations that syringes were reused. The Sindh government has taken some steps in response, including screening, treatment and disciplinary action against doctors and staff. A Rs2 billion endowment fund has also been established for affected children and their families. But rather than addressing the consequences of the crisis, the government should answer the question of how it was allowed to happen. The inquiry should not merely identify the person who may have reused a syringe. It must establish whether hospital management maintained proper infection-control procedures and whether supervisory authorities were fulfilling their responsibilities. If negligence is found at more than one level, accountability must follow accordingly. The affected children, meanwhile, must remain the priority. They deserve free and uninterrupted treatment, financial assistance and protection from discrimination. Their privacy must also be safeguarded.

Ultimately, however, there must be accountability. If the inquiry establishes that basic medical safeguards were ignored and that this negligence caused children to contract HIV, those responsible must face strict punishment. A suspension or show-cause notice cannot be considered sufficient where negligence has potentially caused lifelong harm.

The resolve to rise

As Pakistan turns 79 today, the nation reiterates its resolve to live up to the ideals of its founding fathers and build a welfare nation-state. Independence Day reminds us of the bounties of freedom, and comes as an opportunity to recall the selfless sacrifices of those who stood against British colonialism, as well as the hegemony of Hinduism in the Indian Subcontinent.

The identity of Pakistan is, thus, a cherished prize and must be upheld and preserved for generations to come. Though we have come a long way, having started from scratch, much more needs to be done as we go from strength to strength. The promising and most cherished aspect is that Pakistan is invincible, as it has sailed through thick and thin.

Pakistan's diverse cultural and ethno-lingual mosaic is a source of strength, and despite misgivings at the governance level, it is evolving and scaling new heights of success. These national tangibles call for unison, harmony and co-existence, in order to evolve a polity that is forward looking and pluralistic. That is exactly what the proud nation of 250 million is up to in all resilience and sincerity.

The day is being celebrated with fervour along with the renewed assurance that Pakistan stands tall in the comity of nations. Despite unfriendly frontiers on its east and west, the country has emerged as an icon of peace and security on the global stage. It is a fulcrum for regional mediation. This comes with dividends and an opportunity to zealously work for overcoming economic downturn, and rise as a pivot of geopolitics.

All that is desired is to relentlessly work for national cohesion, harness the youth talent, modernise with the advancement of the day and erect a society that is lawfully ordained for delivering justice and social mobility. That is the only way to defeat terrorism and overcome the sense of parochialism in our midst. It is time to shun differences and collectively work for political stability and economic prosperity under the cherished principles of unity, faith and discipline.

On that note, Happy Independence Day to all!