DAWN Editorials - 13th April 2025

[zarnishhayat]

Targeting dissent

THE recent notice sent by the FIA to former senator Farhatullah Babar is deeply troubling — and revealing. Ostensibly based on a private citizen’s complaint alleging corruption and misuse of office, the inquiry appears designed less to establish facts than to intimidate a long-standing critic of state overreach. That Mr Babar has not held any public office in over a decade — and served only in an honorary capacity during his last political assignment — raises serious questions about the nature of the complaint itself. The FIA acted with unseemly haste, summoning him just before the Eid holidays, without even sharing a copy of the complaint or supporting documentation. Mr Babar’s public record speaks for itself. As a legislator, he championed progressive laws and human rights causes, which ranged from missing persons to transparency in state institutions. Even in retirement, he has remained an active voice for the voiceless — from supporting marginalised groups to demanding greater clarity on the mandate of intelligence agencies. His recent use of the Right to Information law to probe sensitive areas of governance may well explain why the state seems uncomfortable with his persistence and moral clarity.

It is regrettable that rather than engage with the legitimate issues he raises, the state appears to be resorting to coercive tactics to silence him. The HRCP has rightly termed the move “a dangerous precedent” — one that undermines the credibility of institutions and signals a continued intolerance for dissenting views. In any democracy, criticism of the state should not be met with reprisal, but with reflection and reform. The FIA’s actions will only further the perception that accountability mechanisms are selectively employed, targeting those who dare to speak out. If the state still wishes to be seen as democratic, it must cease and desist from this example of lawfare. It must stop stifling voices like Mr Babar’s and instead, listen to them.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2025


Spirit of giving

THE recent declaration by ulema affirming that organ donation after death is not only permissible but an act of sadaqah-i-jariyah (ongoing charity) marks a turning point for Pakistan. This clear endorsement should finally dispel religious misconceptions that have hindered a life-saving practice. For too long, Pakistan has lagged behind other Muslim-majority nations in organ donation rates, with tragic consequences. Every year, tens of thousands of Pakistanis die from end-stage organ failure while waiting for transplants that never come. Now, with the support of scholars and medical experts, the foundation for change has been laid. The government must seize the moment to launch a mass awareness campaign which stresses that organ donation represents the highest form of human generosity — the gift of life itself. It must address family concerns directly, as even when individuals wish to donate, relatives often refuse consent, believing it ‘desecrates’ the body. It should also highlight stories like that of Uzair bin Yasin, whose posthumous donation saved seven lives.

Healthcare providers can play a vital role. Doctors must educate patients about organ donation during routine care, initiating conversations that normalise this practice. Medical institutions should develop simplified registration systems for willing donors and establish clear, transparent protocols that inspire public trust. At the state level, Pakistan must invest in the technical infrastructure necessary for effective organ transplantation. This includes well-equipped facilities capable of harvesting organs within the crucial three to four hours after brain death, improved preservation techniques, and transparent allocation systems that ensure organs go to recipients based solely on medical need and compatibility, not wealth or influence. Such equity is essential to building public trust in the system. Religious leaders across all sects must continue to reinforce their support, framing organ donation as an ultimate expression of Islamic values of compassion and charity. Public figures should lead by example, openly declaring their intention to donate. The ulema’s endorsement has set the wheels in motion. With concerted efforts, Pakistan can foster a culture where organ donation is recognised not as a violation of dignity, but as its ultimate affirmation — allowing one life’s end to bring healing and hope to others. This would truly embody the spirit where the saving of one life is equivalent to the saving of all humanity.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2025


Caught in between

PRESIDENT Donald Trump has blinked but refuses to surrender.

The markets that forced him to temporarily freeze higher ‘liberation day’ tariffs but leave the universal 10pc levy in place continue to fret over potential outcomes of his trade war. The dollar has slid, and investors are fleeing the US government bond market, once considered the safest bet in troubled times. The Fed has warned that Mr Trump’s trade policy will keep inflation in the US higher this year, even if it is difficult to predict how the economy will reshape itself afterwards.

Yet Mr Trump warns that higher tariffs will be back if he does not get what he wants from the 75 countries now willing to reset the terms of bilateral trade with America to avoid punitive levies. China, the primary US target of import levies, has reacted aggressively, raising levies on American goods to 125pc. Hours earlier, it had released a white paper on the US tariff war on its goods, saying America will reap what it sows.

However, the US will not be alone in this harvest. Caught in the trade war between the two economic giants are developing countries like Pakistan, which was slotted for a 29pc increase in the levy on its exports to the US. For starters, the pause is only for 90 days. So, one does not know whether Mr Trump will withdraw the higher tariffs or we will secure a deal equal to or better than what our competitors strike.

Even if the US removes the higher import taxes, chances are that the baseline levy will stay — a significant tariff to bear for troubled economies like Pakistan, which ship many of their goods to the US. This raises the question of what Islamabad can offer to the single largest buyer of its goods — after the EU — in terms of tariff reductions.

In the absence of a trade agreement, under WTO rules, Pakistan cannot reduce duty rates for the US without doing the same for other countries. Then, the main objective of reciprocal tariffs for the US is to balance trade deficits with others, meaning that Pakistan would need to displace imports from other countries with US goods worth about $3.3bn or decrease its exports to the US. Is this even possible?

More crucially, China is likely to aggressively displace the exports of other countries to Europe and Britain, which will hit us hard due to the cost differential. Although some analysts argue that the falling global oil prices may make up for the potential loss of export revenues in the event of a global recession, America’s demand reduction due to higher prices, and aggressive Chinese marketing in our traditional markets, well-functioning economies should not strategise their economic future on the basis of hope alone.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2025