DAWN Editorials - 10th May 2025

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zarnishhayat
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DAWN Editorials - 10th May 2025

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War and lies

THE suspension of disbelief required to follow the Indian media these days must qualify as an extreme sport. One imagines viewers needing a cup of tea and a lie-down afterwards, if only to reorient with reality.

Consider, for example, the breathless ‘coverage’ that has been aired by several Indian news channels regarding their military’s campaign against Pakistan. During Thursday night’s transmissions, one claimed that Islamabad had fallen, another that Peshawar had been bombed; one that Lahore was in the crosshairs of Indian tanks, and another that the Karachi port was in flames. One promised that an F-16 had been shot down, while another that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had surrendered. But it was the gaggle of ‘experts’ on a live Times Now broadcast, excitedly proclaiming that a ground invasion of Pakistan was underway, that truly captured the absurdity of it all.

Truth is the first casualty of war, but it is nonetheless jarring to witness its assassination on such an industrial scale. That the fog of war obscures the truth is understandable, but for newsrooms to actively add to the fog rather than try to pierce it, less so. That said, the media on this side of the border is also not above blame. A few television channels and the so-called experts featured on them have been acting irresponsibly. They must avoid unconfirmed or unverified reports and concentrate more on sensible reporting.


But at least Pakistani media is publicly censured when it is unable to do justice to its duty. Many will openly state that they do not trust it to report truthfully and reliably and will be more open to what independent sources and foreign media have to say. One wonders if there is a similar level of self-awareness next door, where major news networks seem engaged in a race to outdo each other in patriotic theatre, unmoored from any discernible restraint.

Reports that social media platforms like X and Meta have been ‘legally’ coerced into blocking thousands of accounts to protect New Delhi’s narratives should invite global concern over the health of the world’s so-called ‘largest democracy’. More so because the ‘information’ being fed to the Indian people is patently false, dangerously misleading, and designed to whip up base sentiments. Media irresponsibility can lead to the creation of unrealistic expectations in the minds of ordinary people, and these expectations, when unmet, often turn into pressure on leaders to ‘do more’ against the perceived enemy. This is how skirmishes escalate into battles, and battles into full-blown wars. It bears repeating that in times of crisis, it is the journalists’ job to inform, not inflame. The dereliction of this duty has dangerous real-world consequences. Media on both sides of the border would do well to heed this warning.


Alarming indifference

US VICE President J.D. Vance’s comments that a possible war between Pakistan and India would be “none of our business” is an alarming indication of the indifference the global superpower harbours towards this region. But it also reflects the cold, hard truth: that in a world riven by conflict, tensions in South Asia are not very high on the global priority list. This is despite the fact that ours is a nuclear neighbourhood, and the danger of hostilities spiralling into a nuclear exchange is very real. Mr Vance, while talking to Fox News, said that though the US wanted the Pakistan-India stand-off to de-escalate, “we can’t control these countries” and that war between the two South Asian states was not America’s business. Therefore, those expecting the US to jump in and douse the flames should realise that Washington is not overly concerned with trouble in the subcontinent. Moreover, while talking to the prime minister on Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised the need for Islamabad and New Delhi to have direct dialogue to defuse the crisis, again pointing to the fact that America was unlikely to enter the fray and save the day.

It must also be remembered that in South Asia, the US has had a pronounced bias towards India, as the latter is part of the US-led Quad anti-China alliance. Pakistan-US relations over the last many years, on the other hand, have been lukewarm at best. And considering the Trump administration’s isolationist proclivities, expecting American intervention in the subcontinent would be expecting too much. However, other states can play a more active role to promote a peaceful resolution to the current impasse. While Russia has deep ties to India going back to Soviet days, Moscow’s relations with Islamabad have steadily improved. Russia has also offered its good offices, should both states be interested. The Gulf states and Iran — both of which maintain cordial ties with Pakistan and India — also have the potential to act as honest interlocutors. But the fact remains that while foreign powers can play a firefighting role to douse the flames of the immediate conflict, for long-term peace it is Pakistan and India that will have to engage each other. Pakistan stands ready to talk, but apparently no one in India is interested in negotiations. New Delhi’s stance must change for peace to prevail.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2025


Civil readiness

AMID rising regional tensions, there has been some discussion on the need for people to be better prepared in the event of full-scale hostilities. In today’s climate, where emergencies can range from natural disasters to war-like scenarios, civil defence readiness must become a national priority. Recent events offer sobering lessons. During the 2022 floods, Sindh and Balochistan bore the brunt of devastation, with state institutions incapable of mounting the scale of response needed. Despite repeated warnings, these provinces still lack organised civil defence and rescue services. Now, with the country on high alert, we cannot afford complacency, especially with reports of large-scale civil defence exercises being conducted across the border.

A truly effective civil defence system goes beyond symbolic drills. Provincial governments need to strengthen their civil defence departments through better funding, equipment and personnel. Clear evacuation plans, public shelters and designated relief centres must be established in coordination with agencies like Rescue 1122 and disaster management authorities. Alongside institutional preparedness, a mass awareness campaign is critical. Citizens should know how to respond calmly and effectively in emergencies. Using television, radio, social media and mosques, the public must be educated on basic emergency responses — how to take shelter during air raids, administer first aid, and safely evacuate if needed. Schools and community centres should conduct regular drills, while flyers and videos explaining safety protocols must be distributed widely. In addition, civilians must be directly involved in their own preparedness. Every household should know blackout procedures, prepare an emergency go-bag with essentials, and be aware of the nearest shelters. Families should establish emergency contact plans, and community volunteers should be trained to assist in evacuation and relief efforts. That said, while the situation calls for vigilance, it does not call for alarm. Sensible, coordinated preparation — rather than panic — is the need of the hour. With the right measures, Pakistan can face any challenge.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2025


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