Express Tribune Editorials 16th August 2026

Open invitation to criminals

Arguably, organised criminal networks operate unhindered in Pakistan not because its citizens have a relentless lawbreaking itch to scratch, but because the system accommodates such networks and makes it easy for them to operate. When law enforcement, documentation and regulation are lax, and red tape is selectively reserved for important procedures, a country automatically - and perhaps willingly - becomes a hub for illegal activities.

Seemingly for this exact reason, 114 foreign nationals from Far East countries were allegedly running a cyber-romance and sextortion network from Islamabad, luring in foreign nationals into conversations that they later exploited. They were recently caught by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and an investigation linked them to financial fraud in relation to such cybercrimes.

While a case has already been registered against them under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, there are now much more urgent questions that the system needs to ponder over. What is it about Pakistan that appealed to these criminals, who chose to conduct their operations from the very capital of the country?

Since the victims of this cybercrime gang were not primarily Pakistanis, their choice of 'headquarters' is quite intriguing. And more than intriguing, it is distressing. These criminals were brazenly recording explicit video calls with their so-called clientele to use as blackmail. This is not an overnight trap; it is an extensive plan that even used the name of a registered IT business.

The only clear next step involves a thorough case that leaves no wiggle room for loopholes which would allow the criminals to go unpunished. The NCCIA has announced that further investigation is underway, which must remain untouched by external influence or partiality. A logical conclusion to this case is necessary to prove that Pakistan is not a hub for criminal activity and it is certainly not open for such businesses.

Our moon mission

The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has named the nation's first lunar rover, selecting the name submitted by a 17-year-old from Bahawalnagar. While hardly original, Jinnah-1 is still a fitting name for the first 'made-in-Pakistan' vehicle to traverse the lunar surface. Despite decades of disappointments that betrayed his vision for the country, at least we can be sure Quaid-e-Azam would be proud of this achievement, which is scheduled to take place in 2029. The Pakistani lander will piggyback on China's Chang'e-8 mission to the Moon's south pole, which is itself a notable scientific effort.

The collaborative mission is also a good example of the strength of Pakistan's bilateral relationship with China. If all goes well, the lander will make significant contributions to the world's understanding of lunar plasma, radiation and surface geology. It will map terrain and test technologies essential for future human presence on the Moon. The 35kg rover is expected to cost around Rs400 million - including research and development - and will be operated by Pakistani specialists. But the mission is not just about building a lander. That is arguably the easy part. Challenges abound, from the sheer technical difficulty of a soft landing to the intense competition from established spacefaring nations.

Beyond the mission itself, the high-level science involved should encourage many young people to pursue careers in science, and to encourage people with science education to stay in Pakistan and work here instead of emigrating at the first available opportunity. Critics may attack the price of the mission, but given the potential upside, there are many worse places we could have allocated that money to.

And if Pakistan can make Jinnah-1 a success, it is sure to generate more interest in our space programme not just from our own students and researchers, but also from other space agencies, who would certainly become more amenable to sharing ideas and working together.

A heavy debt

The federal government's debt had surged to Rs83.6 trillion by the end of June, representing an increase of Rs5.8 trillion, or 7.3%, within a single fiscal year. More alarmingly, the SBP's latest debt bulletin shows that the debt has swelled by 75% over the past four years, adding Rs35.8 trillion to the pile. While debt itself is not necessarily a bad thing, and the debt-to-GDP ratio has actually improved in the last few years, the figure remains worryingly high and a cause of great concern for investors inside and outside the country. This is because almost half of the federal budget is still dedicated to debt-servicing costs, meaning that money desperately needed to improve critical infrastructure and provide essential services such as health and education is instead diverted to pay for the financial mismanagement of decades past. For the current fiscal year, over Rs8 trillion is earmarked solely for interest payments.

It is also notable that the government does not even appear to be trying to meet the legal requirements of the Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Limitation Act, which mandates a reduction of debt by 0.5% to 0.75% of GDP every year until the debt is brought below 50% of GDP. In their quest for silver linings, government supporters have been quick to note that almost all of the new debt added in recent years has been domestic. But while this does mean savings of foreign exchange, it is still a financial burden being placed on the shoulders of taxpayers. Citizens will take a hit regardless of whether loan payments are cashed here or abroad.

The government must do more to make the debt sustainable, instead of trapping future generations in a cycle of indebtedness. Fiscal discipline must transcend IMF programmes and become a matter of national priority. The government must also urgently rationalise expenditure, enforce provincial fiscal responsibility and broaden the tax net with uncompromising rigour. Without such corrective measures, economic self-reliance will remain a distant dream.