DAWN Editorials - 5th March 2025

[faheemustad]

Demand for solar power

A GREAT solar rush across Pakistan is transforming the nation’s energy landscape. Households and businesses are rapidly switching to solar energy for a cheaper and reliable power supply. With 22 GW of solar panels imported in the last 18 months, the country is going through a massive shift from grid to rooftop solar solutions. It is heartening to note that both the federal and provincial governments are striving to keep up with the change to enable this shift through various initiatives. While Sindh has led the distribution of solar equipment among its citizens, the free solar panel scheme for low-income households consuming up to 200 units a month is the first initiative of its kind in Punjab. As many as 47,182 systems of 0.55 kW and 47,301 systems of 1.1 kW will be installed under the scheme. Likewise, the national food security ministry is implementing a Rs201bn project for converting tube-wells to solar power. These initiatives are aimed at protecting consumers from soaring electricity prices that most households and businesses can no longer afford.

While the solar momentum being generated by rising demand and government-financed projects is welcome, it must be supported by a well-designed policy to offset the possible, near-term negative impacts of this shift. For example, the shift from national grid to rooftop solar is already believed to have contributed to reduced consumption of grid electricity and higher per unit rates for those who have not yet switched to off-grid solutions. Similarly, the solarisation of tube-wells is said to be impacting fast-dwindling aquifers, threatening agriculture and food security. Pushed by economic factors, the demand for solar solutions will rise further. No matter how advantageous the shift towards solar power is on account of its contribution to reduced carbon emissions and a cheaper alternative for consumers, it can have some unintended consequences for the broader economy if not regulated under a well-thought-out policy framework.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2025


Ad ban

SILENCING criticism is no solution, whether the issue at hand is social, political, or of any other nature. Unsurprisingly, weak rulers have always struggled to grasp this simple truth.

In era after era, we have seen dictators attempt to control the press — to cajole, bribe, or browbeat newspapers and journalists into submitting to those they were meant to hold to account. In every such era, there were many who suffered for choosing to put the public interest above other considerations. They endured physical violence, financial loss, and even pernicious lawfare.

Much of this suffering was borne with patience, because responsible newspapers and journalists always knew they could not abdicate their duty or betray the public’s trust. They believed Pakistan is made stronger by their sacrifices. They should be honoured and remembered as the Pakistani media once again suffers one of the worst periods of repression and control.

Last week, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, in its ‘Islamabad Declaration’, pointed out how both military and civilian dispensations have deployed government ads as a way to “promote their own ‘fake’ news’”. For context, government ads are being denied to publications which have chosen to pursue independent editorial policies, ostensibly to choke their revenues and force compliance.

The PFUJ cited the example of this publication, Dawn, which has been denied advertisements by the federal and Punjab governments in particular since last October “because of its professional and critical approach in reporting and editorials”. The Sindh government, too, has periodically withheld its ads for arbitrary reasons.

This is not the only way in which the authorities have tried to obstruct fair reporting. After the so-called ‘Dawn Leaks’, the paper’s circulation was blocked in large parts of the country, especially the cantonment areas, on the orders of certain individuals. Gen Qamar Bajwa later reportedly stated that the crisis had been created so that his predecessor could secure an extension.

The current regime’s attempt to punish the paper has taken a different form, but its aim is the same: to apply pressure tactics to gain compliance. This publication always takes into consideration multiple angles when making editorial decisions. Others may not always agree with its stance, but pressure tactics will not force Dawn to abandon principled journalism. Its duty, first and foremost, is to maintain journalistic integrity.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2025


Terrorism challenge

AS the country continues to face a multifaceted terrorism threat, the state has yet to come up with a matching response, even as we continue to lose a high number of security men and civilians to terrorist attacks.


Figures released for February by the PICSS think tank point to the grim reality we face: over 100 lives were lost to terrorism last month, with civilian fatalities (55) overtaking those of security personnel (47). In keeping with earlier trends, the violence has been concentrated in KP and Balochistan, with religiously inspired militants such as the banned TTP, as well as Baloch separatists, spearheading the violent campaigns.

Even in the current month, the past few days have seen numerous incidents of bloodletting. The latest incident occurred on Tuesday, when suicide bombers reportedly struck Bannu Cantonment. Earlier, an FC man was martyred on Monday when a woman suicide bomber, apparently belonging to the banned BLA, carried out an attack near Kalat. Four security men were similarly martyred in firefights with terrorists in North Waziristan. Meanwhile, the deadly bombing of the Haqqania madressah last week — believed to be the handiwork of IS — shows that other militant actors, too, feel confident enough to stage fresh attacks.

Many of these acts of terrorism have been carried out in regions bordering Afghanistan, where the Taliban rulers are hostile to some terrorist groups, such as IS, yet maintain cordial ties with others, such as the TTP. Therefore, Pakistan has few options but to cooperate on the counterterrorism issue with Kabul. But bilateral ties are going through a particularly low phase, with the Torkham border closed since Feb 21, after the Afghan side reportedly started construction in a disputed area. Things have worsened since then as both sides exchanged fire, involving the use of heavy weapons, on Sunday. The fact is that while Pakistan is right in blaming the Afghan Taliban for doing little to curb cross-border terrorism, if ties deteriorate further, it will negatively affect CT cooperation.


The presence of IS in both countries should serve as a point of unity for Islamabad and Kabul. Both sides confront a bloodthirsty foe, and the only way to defeat it is to work together. Having said that, Kabul cannot rage against the ‘bad’ IS terrorists, and feign ignorance about the malign activities of the ‘good’ TTP terrorists. Action must be taken across the board, and all terrorist groups that threaten Pakistan should be dealt with by Kabul.

On the other hand, the state here must go beyond rhetoric and implement a CT strategy that can deliver lasting results. Over 1,600 security men and civilians lost their lives in terrorist attacks in 2024. This blood-soaked trend must be arrested through an effective CT campaign.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2025