Express Tribune Editorials 27th Sept 2025

A triumphant outcome

The Pak-US relations are in a new comfort zone as enough confidence building has come into play. The debut meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Donald Trump in White House has set the momentum for renewed cooperation between the two countries. The good point is that Islamabad is now being viewed once again as a strategic ally by Washington, and not through the prism of India and China.

The spade work done before the summit meeting is a testimony of the fact that a broad-based consensus is in the making, and the ill-will of yesteryears has been addressed to a great extent. The trade deal is a case in point wherein Islamabad was smart enough to seek reciprocal tariff concessions from 29 to 19%, at a time when the US authorities were in a row with many of their allies, and likewise it entered into a landmark agreement on exploration and export of rare earth minerals.

The presence of Army Chief Gen Asim Munir in the meeting reportedly led to a thorough discussion on counterterrorism in the region. With President Trump having taken the lead in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in their four-day conflict in May and subsequently expressing his desire to bring the two arch-rivals across the table, the triangular moot took a leap forward in expressing Islamabad's desire for peace and tranquility in the region and beyond. Pakistan also looks up to a land for peace-based two-state solution in the Middle East, and banks on Trump to make it happen.

The bilateral ties under the Trump administration have become multi-dimensional; and the interest expressed in crypto-currency, minerals, oil and gas, as well as agriculture and IT by the US makes it people-centric and socio-economic in essence. This reset is in need of an institutional approach, and should be cemented with a sustained composite dialogue. Pakistan is, likewise, eager in terms of broadening people-to-people contacts, especially in the realms of democracy and laissez faire economy.

Politicising flood relief

In the face of one of the country's most devastating flood seasons, a public and unseemly war of words has erupted between the PPP and PML-N. Instead of presenting a united front to aid millions of affected citizens, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz have chosen to politicise relief efforts, and in the process, failing the very people they claim they are trying to help.

The core of this political conflict is not about the most effective mechanism for aid, but rather about claiming credit and asserting dominance. Bilawal has dogmatically insisted that the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is the "sole method" for providing immediate relief, framing any rejection of it as an "irresponsible attitude" towards flood victims. But Maryam fairly questioned how a significantly large amount would be distributed through BISP when standard payments through the system are only about Rs10,000 - the Punjab CM wants to distribute 100 times that amount to flood victims.

On the other side, the CM's response has been equally partisan. Even if we take her at her word that BISP is a "very simplistic solution", several statements in her recent presser appeared to be sharp, unconstructive rebukes designed as sound bites for the evening news. In times like these, a good leader must put aside personal pride and do what is best for the country. Starving and sickly people at relief camps don't care if Maryam is holding her head high or begging for foreign aid. They just want some food, shelter and medicine.

And while BISP is not perfect, it is a readymade vehicle to distribute funds through. The only problem is how the name implies a connection with the PPP. This issue has come up previously as well, when PTI set up its Ehsaas Programme, which was essentially an upgraded BISP and has since been reabsorbed into the older programme. As a solution, the parliament could just change the name to something apolitical - simply dropping the 'B' would accomplish this. The PPP could still claim credit for setting up the programme, while opposition to such a plan would be a naked example of politicising poverty and aid.

Into the final

Pakistan secured their place in the Asia Cup final with a tense 11-run victory over Bangladesh in Dubai, setting up yet another high-stakes clash against India. While the result ensured progression, the manner of Pakistan's win showed areas of concern that cannot be ignored ahead of Sunday's final.

Defending a modest 135, Pakistan once again leaned on their pace attack to get the job done. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf shared six wickets between them, striking at crucial stages to derail Bangladesh's chase. Their discipline under pressure was a reminder of Pakistan's traditional strength - fast bowling capable of turning matches even with limited runs to defend. It was yet again the batting that left much to be desired.

Pakistan's top order struggled to build momentum, and partnerships were few and far between. The inability to rotate strike or anchor the innings kept the total well below par. Against India, such batting displays could prove costly, as their deep and in-form batting line-up is unlikely to falter chasing modest targets. Going into the final, Pakistan face the added challenge of avoiding a hat-trick of defeats to India. More than just the Asia Cup title is at stake. The final is also a test of resilience and an opportunity to restore confidence before the T20 World Cup later this year.

Pakistan's senior batters need to take greater responsibility, ensuring partnerships that allow the side to reach competitive totals. The middle order, in particular, must find a way to adapt to conditions and accelerate when needed. The Green Shirts may have stumbled into the final, but the chance for redemption remains. If the lessons from the Bangladesh match are quickly absorbed, Sunday could be an opportunity to turn the tide.