Express Tribune Editorials 2nd march 2025
Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2025 3:02 am
Low wheat crop
The anticipated shortfall in wheat output is raising significant concern about grain imports putting additional stress on the country's foreign exchange reserves.
The finance ministry recently estimated that annual output would fall by about 11%, or 3.5 million tons, largely due to unfavourably dry weather predicted in the coming months. While a decline was always likely, given that experts had ranked last year's crop as a bumper crop, the decline is still notable because it could have been offset if the government had been quick on its feet and set wheat prices and procurement targets in advance to encourage farmers.
Instead, because of the lax approach of the federal and provincial governments, we can expect at least a billion dollars of precious forex to be dedicated to imports. And while some members of the ruling parties have pointed to the IMF's push for deregulation of commodity prices, the government unilaterally decided to forgo control prices a year before the IMF's deadline.
The government's continuing unwillingness and inability to stabilise commodity prices keeps taking an unnecessary toll, not only on the food industry, but on everyday citizens who must budget for wild fluctuations in the prices of staple goods. While inflation has decreased dramatically in recent months, the carnage of the last few years has left millions of Pakistanis in precarious situations, and they deserve any opportunity possible to plan ahead.
It is also worth noting that food insecurity is widely cited as one of the stressful factors that eats away at people's mental health around the world. Meanwhile, the ubiquity of wheat in our food ecosystem means that a significant price increase for wheat products due to expensive imports could have a knock-on effect on other commodities.
And although there is no shortcut to increasing wheat supplies or stablising prices, the government still needs to be proactive by finding ways to work within the IMF framework to ensure farmers are fairly compensated and market prices are consistently affordable.
Space ambitions
Pakistan is poised to make history by sending its first astronaut into space, a move made possible through an agreement between the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Under this partnership, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training in China, with one eventually joining a mission aboard the China Space Station. This is undoubtedly a significant step forward, signaling Pakistan's growing interest in space exploration.
The initiative reflects the deepening of bilateral ties and opens new avenues for collaboration in space exploration. However, beneath the excitement, Pakistan's role in this mission is largely symbolic. The training, research and execution of the mission are all happening in China, with Pakistan contributing little in terms of technology or expertise.
While international collaboration is essential, it must serve as a stepping stone toward self-sufficiency, not a permanent model of dependence. Suparco, once a regional pioneer, has failed to keep pace with global advancements. In contrast, India's space programme has developed its own launch vehicles, sent missions to Mars and the Moon, and is now preparing for manned spaceflight.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has struggled to build a sustainable space programme, relying entirely on foreign assistance for satellite launches and now, for astronaut training. Pakistan must invest in local research, setting up advanced astronaut training facilities and fostering an ecosystem that encourages innovation in aerospace technology.
The government must recognise that space exploration has tangible benefits, including advancements in satellite communication, climate monitoring and national security.
Strengthening ties with China is a step in the right direction, but it should be accompanied by policies that prioritise local development. A smart government does not merely celebrate, it ensures that knowledge transfer leads to indigenous growth.
Trump-Zelensky duel
The phase of public-diplomacy conducted at the Oval Office of White House has critically divided world opinion, and there are now more supporters of Ukraine than before. US President Donald Trump's inconsiderate conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, will always be remembered under the key-words of 'spontaneous, rude and impolite', but in their respective national interest.
The fact that the discourse was open to media telecast, and the stakeholders were out to make strong points in their spheres of argument has highlighted the dangers and complications in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Moreover, it was surprising and epoch-making to see Trump playing the devil's advocate by trying to prevail over Kiev to sign on the dotted lines with the Kremlin.
Zelensky was time and again coerced in a loud pitch, and was made to believe that neither his country is winning, nor are the chips in his favour without the support of the US. In brief, he was offered an olive branch for face saving at the cost of suzerainty.
The attitude problem from a no-nonsense person like Trump led to some undiplomatic vibes, and the world perhaps for the first time got to know how intricate diplomacy is conducted behind the scenes. Zelensky, nonetheless, won kudos from his European allies as he stood his ground, and subsequently left the White House without being feasted. That also dashed the administration's hopes for making Kiev sign on a multi-billion dollars mineral deal in favour of Washington, sending down an earnest message to Moscow that it's not all over as far as Ukraine is concerned.
Zelensky, however, emerged taller than he is from the White House duel, as he thanked his allies and kept doors open for a dialogue with Washington. The 'shouting' and 'meltdown' is the new narrative of the conflict, and has inevitably underscored the need for striking a consensual path among the warring sides.
With Putin keeping his fingers crossed as Trump is out to bridge the gap with Zelensky, and also make Europe realise its folly of pushing Kiev over the brink, there is an opportunity in disaster for a compromise of the century.
The anticipated shortfall in wheat output is raising significant concern about grain imports putting additional stress on the country's foreign exchange reserves.
The finance ministry recently estimated that annual output would fall by about 11%, or 3.5 million tons, largely due to unfavourably dry weather predicted in the coming months. While a decline was always likely, given that experts had ranked last year's crop as a bumper crop, the decline is still notable because it could have been offset if the government had been quick on its feet and set wheat prices and procurement targets in advance to encourage farmers.
Instead, because of the lax approach of the federal and provincial governments, we can expect at least a billion dollars of precious forex to be dedicated to imports. And while some members of the ruling parties have pointed to the IMF's push for deregulation of commodity prices, the government unilaterally decided to forgo control prices a year before the IMF's deadline.
The government's continuing unwillingness and inability to stabilise commodity prices keeps taking an unnecessary toll, not only on the food industry, but on everyday citizens who must budget for wild fluctuations in the prices of staple goods. While inflation has decreased dramatically in recent months, the carnage of the last few years has left millions of Pakistanis in precarious situations, and they deserve any opportunity possible to plan ahead.
It is also worth noting that food insecurity is widely cited as one of the stressful factors that eats away at people's mental health around the world. Meanwhile, the ubiquity of wheat in our food ecosystem means that a significant price increase for wheat products due to expensive imports could have a knock-on effect on other commodities.
And although there is no shortcut to increasing wheat supplies or stablising prices, the government still needs to be proactive by finding ways to work within the IMF framework to ensure farmers are fairly compensated and market prices are consistently affordable.
Space ambitions
Pakistan is poised to make history by sending its first astronaut into space, a move made possible through an agreement between the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Under this partnership, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo training in China, with one eventually joining a mission aboard the China Space Station. This is undoubtedly a significant step forward, signaling Pakistan's growing interest in space exploration.
The initiative reflects the deepening of bilateral ties and opens new avenues for collaboration in space exploration. However, beneath the excitement, Pakistan's role in this mission is largely symbolic. The training, research and execution of the mission are all happening in China, with Pakistan contributing little in terms of technology or expertise.
While international collaboration is essential, it must serve as a stepping stone toward self-sufficiency, not a permanent model of dependence. Suparco, once a regional pioneer, has failed to keep pace with global advancements. In contrast, India's space programme has developed its own launch vehicles, sent missions to Mars and the Moon, and is now preparing for manned spaceflight.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has struggled to build a sustainable space programme, relying entirely on foreign assistance for satellite launches and now, for astronaut training. Pakistan must invest in local research, setting up advanced astronaut training facilities and fostering an ecosystem that encourages innovation in aerospace technology.
The government must recognise that space exploration has tangible benefits, including advancements in satellite communication, climate monitoring and national security.
Strengthening ties with China is a step in the right direction, but it should be accompanied by policies that prioritise local development. A smart government does not merely celebrate, it ensures that knowledge transfer leads to indigenous growth.
Trump-Zelensky duel
The phase of public-diplomacy conducted at the Oval Office of White House has critically divided world opinion, and there are now more supporters of Ukraine than before. US President Donald Trump's inconsiderate conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, will always be remembered under the key-words of 'spontaneous, rude and impolite', but in their respective national interest.
The fact that the discourse was open to media telecast, and the stakeholders were out to make strong points in their spheres of argument has highlighted the dangers and complications in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Moreover, it was surprising and epoch-making to see Trump playing the devil's advocate by trying to prevail over Kiev to sign on the dotted lines with the Kremlin.
Zelensky was time and again coerced in a loud pitch, and was made to believe that neither his country is winning, nor are the chips in his favour without the support of the US. In brief, he was offered an olive branch for face saving at the cost of suzerainty.
The attitude problem from a no-nonsense person like Trump led to some undiplomatic vibes, and the world perhaps for the first time got to know how intricate diplomacy is conducted behind the scenes. Zelensky, nonetheless, won kudos from his European allies as he stood his ground, and subsequently left the White House without being feasted. That also dashed the administration's hopes for making Kiev sign on a multi-billion dollars mineral deal in favour of Washington, sending down an earnest message to Moscow that it's not all over as far as Ukraine is concerned.
Zelensky, however, emerged taller than he is from the White House duel, as he thanked his allies and kept doors open for a dialogue with Washington. The 'shouting' and 'meltdown' is the new narrative of the conflict, and has inevitably underscored the need for striking a consensual path among the warring sides.
With Putin keeping his fingers crossed as Trump is out to bridge the gap with Zelensky, and also make Europe realise its folly of pushing Kiev over the brink, there is an opportunity in disaster for a compromise of the century.