DAWN Editorials - 23rd August 2025

[zarnishhayat]

Shared future AT a time when significant geopolitical shifts are affecting ties between nations, it is reassuring that China has expressed its desire to stand by Pakistan, and further develop their deep, multifaceted relationship.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit, under the umbrella of the Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue, reiterated Beijing’s commitment to improving bilateral ties. Mr Wang had earlier travelled to India and Afghanistan, stating that the South Asian states are China’s “natural partners”.

It is significant that China’s top diplomat emphasised that Islamabad was the “most important stop” on the three-nation tour. During his meeting with Pakistan’s top civil and military leaders, Wang Yi principally discussed economic and security issues, while observing that Pakistan and China have a “shared future”.

The message from China seems clear: Beijing does not want antagonistic relationships with any of its South Asian neighbours, and values a cooperative approach to addressing disputes. For example, Mr Wang reassured his Indian hosts that Beijing is committed to improving ties with New Delhi “despite setbacks”. He also told the Taliban-led Afghan regime that it needed to act against terrorist groups, while offering greater economic cooperation, including expanding CPEC to Afghanistan. Islamabad, too, was part of the discussions in Kabul, under the framework of the trilateral Pakistan-Afghanistan-China dialogue.

With the US displaying unpredictable behaviour under President Donald Trump’s watch, states around the world are hedging their bets, and updating their foreign policies accordingly. Perhaps this is one of the factors prompting India to improve ties with China, as New Delhi’s relations with the US experience turbulence. Regardless of external triggers, an integrated, prosperous and peaceful South Asia is desirable for all, and China could be the main catalyst that brings the region’s states closer.

As for bilateral relations, ties between Islamabad and Beijing — covering geopolitics, economics and defence links — should be deepened. China is a time-tested partner and friend of Pakistan, and has stood by it in difficult times, while China has also acknowledged that Pakistan has supported it “at key junctures”.

Irritants in the way of greater cooperation must be addressed. For example, Wang Yi publicly noted in Islamabad that Beijing expects Pakistan to protect Chinese citizens and projects in this country. Terrorist groups and hostile actors cannot be allowed to damage bilateral ties by harming Chinese interests in Pakistan.

Also, some states, such as the US, have said openly that they do not view Pakistan-China collaboration positively. This presents a diplomatic quandary for Pakistan, especially in light of its improving ties with the US. Islamabad must balance its ties with both states; better relations with America should not come at the cost of economic and defence cooperation with China.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2025

Damning audit report THE Auditor General of Pakistan’s latest audit report is, in effect, a charge-sheet against the state’s weak economic and fiscal governance. The sheer scale of mismanagement and staggering expenditure lapses of Rs375tr flagged in the report are mind-boggling. Procurement-related irregularities alone account for around Rs284tr, topped by huge losses to the exchequer because of delayed civil works, defective contracts and non-recovery of dues at the expense of the public good. The audit shows that the irregularities detected represent a recurring pattern and reflect the systemic rot in governance caused by weak oversight, poor controls and a tendency to bypass parliamentary approval of expenditures through large supplementary grants. Public funds are sought without actually determining actual needs, and allocations are blocked, leaving billions in unspent money — a practice that underscores the bureaucracy’s penchant for ticking boxes rather than enforcing financial discipline or delivering the planned outcome. This largely explains our perpetual fiscal and development crisis.

The report draws attention not only to the mismanagement of public expenditure but also to the regulatory lapses and financial misconduct in the affairs of market regulators. For example, it has painted a troubling picture of weak regulatory governance in the telecom industry. This is reflected in the partially privatised PTCL’s refusal to permit an audit of its accounts, the detection of financial discrepancies of Rs3.54bn in the purchase of equipment at inflated prices, excessive operational expenditure in the accounts of the state-owned SCO and Jazz’s Rs6.58bn consumer overcharging in FY24. Besides, it emphasises the failure of the telecom regulator to resolve the Rs53.54bn Zong spectrum case. While the financial discrepancies found in the SCO accounts are the result of weak corporate governance that has already pushed most SOEs to the brink, the overcharging of consumers by the largest mobile operator reflects poor regulatory oversight and the tendency of regulatory bodies to serve corporate interests instead of consumers. The audit report serves to remind both citizens and rulers of the need to enforce strict financial discipline for better fiscal management to divert scarce funds towards public welfare and improve regulatory governance to protect consumers from the unfair practices of corporations. These objectives can be achieved only if parliament and the judiciary decide to enforce accountability. In the absence of accountability, the AGP’s audit reports are little more than an annual ritual.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2025

Game over THE suspension of bilateral ties between Pakistan and India has now been officially extended beyond cricket to all sports. On Thursday, India’s sports ministry issued a new policy that ends bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, even on neutral venues. However, no stoppage has been announced for engagement at multilateral tournaments, paving the way for the much-anticipated Asia Cup cricket clash between the two rivals next month. The guidelines were sent out in a statement which said that athletes from Pakistan can participate in multilateral events in India, which has set its sights on becoming a sporting destination. India knows welcoming Pakistan is mandatory at such events as it hopes to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics. The statement, though, did not mention whether Indian athletes would be allowed to take part in multilateral events hosted by Pakistan. As evident at the ICC Champions Trophy this year, this lack of clarity means that India may once again try to sabotage multilateral events in Pakistan. It has already made it clear on several previous occasions that it will not be sending its athletes to Pakistan on security grounds. The new policy indicates that its approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects India’s overall policy regarding the latter.

Pakistan’s justifiable tit-for-tat response, then, is not surprising. It made its stance clear by not sending the team for the Asia Cup hockey tournament in India citing security concerns. Last month, the Pakistan Sports Board asked sports federations in the country to seek approval before participating in sporting events held in India. Pakistan had for long advocated against mixing sports with politics, even taking the first step multiple times in this direction. Sadly, India has done the opposite. The onus is on global sports bodies to break the deadlock. But they must also ensure that this time it is India that takes the first step to break the impasse.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2025