Express Tribune Editorials 9th August 2026

Lifesaving jabs

The death of a child is one of the greatest tragedies a nation can bear. But if that death were preventable, it asks pointed questions and demands accountability. Asking similar questions this year is the news of at least 144 children losing their lives to measles and diphtheria, both of which are easily preventable diseases via vaccinations.

It is true that no parent wants their child to suffer through an illness. But with the Pakistani government's relentless efforts at distributing and administering vaccines to children across the country, we are forced to wonder: where exactly does the implementation gap exist? Is it a lack of awareness or a lack of urgency?

Halfway across the world, England is facing a similar problem. Their public health experts claim that parents of young children have reduced access to convenient medical treatment and fewer face-to-face contacts with doctors which has led to an epidemic of vaccine-negligence.

But with multiple mobile vans equipped with vaccines, door-to-door immunisation services and walk-in clinics, Pakistan cannot exactly claim a similar reason despite the same problem. Even nomadic families who are not in contact with the healthcare system are sought and treated via Pakistan's Migrant and Mobile Population (MMP) strategy.

Vaccine-negligence does exist, but not because of widespread inaccessibility. Parents here often do not treat immunisation routines with the importance that they deserve, evading them instead on the pretext of opting for 'natural' and 'herbal' practices. Moreover, the time between the first symptom and the first doctor's visit is also needlessly prolonged, sometimes due to financial stringency and other times due to carelessness.

The loss of 144 innocent lives should serve as a wake-up call so loud that there is no space left for second thoughts regarding children's healthcare. If vaccines were prioritised, 144 souls would possibly still be here - with dreams and aspirations of growing old.

Theatre of the absurd

US President Donald Trump signed two new executive orders in yet another attempt to feed his obsession with ending birthright citizenship. This comes just five weeks after the Supreme Court, by a 6-3 vote, rejected his previous order as unconstitutional. The Chief Justice affirmed in the ruling that the 14th Amendment's protections extend to all children born on American soil. Legal scholars have further clarified that only the children of diplomats or "invading forces" are exempt under the law— the former because they are born with diplomatic immunity, and the latter because they are subject to the jurisdiction of their parents' nation.

At 735 words, the 14th Amendment is also the longest amendment, and since the Constitution has no pictures or mention of the Trump name, the president is unlikely to get through any attempt to read, or have it read to him. The only way to challenge the amendment is through an overriding amendment, which would need two-thirds majorities in Congress and three-quarters of the 52 states to pass corresponding legislation, both of which are impossible as things stand. The president is thus only wasting taxpayers' money on litigation that is doomed to fail, making it clear that this is simply a performative exercise to distract from the scandals and corruption dogging his administration.

Trump's own approval rating has hit a second-term low of just 36%, with 59% of Americans disapproving of his performance. His deeply unpopular war against Iran, which he claimed would last just a few weeks, is now in its sixth month. Economic uncertainty and inflation are worrying millions of Americans. Meanwhile, the Epstein scandal continues to shadow his administration. This is apart from the president's reckless social media use and unhealthy obsession with ordering ugly and substandard improvements around Washington. Trump could try to correct one of his past wrongs, but since he is incapable of admitting fault, the only way for him to get embarrassing failures out of the news cycle is to fail at something new.

Dawn of regional amalgamation

The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement testifies to the fact that Pakistan has emerged as a net-security provider in the region. It is a historic development coming at a time when the Middle East is in turmoil, and the conventional security calculus has gone for a toss. With the United States in a mindset of retreat from the region, and a realisation from the Gulf States that they need to evolve a new, self-reliant security paradigm, the defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye is a significant milestone. It also endorses Pakistan's defence capabilities and exhibits the trust it enjoys in the Muslim world.

The fact that the deal is rooted in self-defence, and is only meant to be invoked in case of aggression against any of the member states, makes it a guarantor of serenity that pushes the envelope of deterrence. Likewise, the intention of the three countries to keep it evolving in times of peace and strive for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation is worth appreciating. It effectively addresses modern warfare requirements and fills critical security vacuums.

The trilateral defence pact enjoys the support of the United States, as it comes as a credible element for ensuring regional stability. The positive point is that Iran too has lauded it as a welcome regional amalgamation "meant to keep extra-territorial powers" away from the region. That Kuwait, Egypt, Oman and Jordan too are linked in a trust-calculus with Pakistan and rely on its security shield serves to solidify the security infrastructure for broad-based tranquillity.

The new defence understanding must now open a new vista of diplomacy, allowing all regional irritants to be dealt with in harmony and compassion. Tackling non-state actors, addressing terrorism issues and ensuring that Israel does not throw a spanner in the works are incredible challenges. Apart from this, there is hardly any territorial dispute that could push any of the regional states to go over the brink.