DAWN Editorials - 4th April 2025
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 11:42 am
More than words
WITH Balochistan in tumult, the political class needs to heal the province’s wounds with sagacity and far-sightedness. The need for security must be balanced with efforts to bring all those forces in Balochistan that believe in the constitutional process to the negotiating table and forge a path to peace based on reconciliation and confidence-building with the state.
In this regard, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while exchanging Eid greetings with the Balochistan chief minister in Lahore on Wednesday, reiterated that developing the province remained amongst his government’s top priorities, and that all efforts would be made to improve people’s lives. In a parallel development, the CM also made Eid visits to various political leaders of the province, including ex-Balochistan CM Abdul Malik Baloch. At the meeting CM Sarfraz Bugti welcomed “constructive proposals … to promote peace and development in the province”.
Mr Sharif and Mr Bugti have adopted the right approach, and though sceptics may say the state has come around to the idea of development and inclusivity a bit late in the day, one should remain optimistic, as the alternative is more violence. Development in the province is essential, and several past administrations have made similar promises to Balochistan. But holistic development can only work when there is organic and credible political activity in the province.
Reaching out to Dr Malik Baloch was the right step, and other Baloch leaders with credibility, such as Akhtar Mengal as well as the BYC, must be included in a wider outreach. In fact, political actors from across Pakistan must take the lead in engaging the democratic forces of Balochistan and earnestly addressing the woes of the province. There must be a commitment to respect the people’s political choices, along with an end to enforced disappearances and rights abuses in the province. Most importantly, both the civilian and the military arms of the state must endorse political outreach efforts to end the insurgency permanently.
Of course, the militant threat in Balochistan cannot be dismissed. Those who engage in terrorism and threaten the security of Pakistan must be dealt with through kinetic measures. But if non-violent political and rights movements are forcefully crushed by the state, the insurgency will be difficult to quell. That is why the state must make a clear distinction between peaceful activists, and violent militants, and refrain from demonising the former. If the people are not allowed to peacefully air their grievances, it will only radicalise such movements, and push them into the arms of the separatists. Moreover, hostile foreign actors will also exploit these internal fault lines to stir up trouble. Therefore, the state can begin anew in Balochistan and push for peace, or continue down the same failed path.
Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025
Poor publicity
FORTUNE does not seem to be favouring the PTI — at least not yet. With the party’s founder confined from public view and unable to interact with his deputies and the party’s rank and file growing increasingly paranoid about the circumstances of his incarceration, the PTI seems to be undergoing another round of internal upheaval. One wonders what has changed, and also how this period of turbulence might end. For context, it has lately become quite difficult for PTI office holders to confer with Imran Khan, and there has been a fair bit of discontent over who draws up his guest lists, who approves them, and why. Interestingly, in recent days, several PTI leaders who are perceived within the party to be advocates of a more conciliatory stance towards the security establishment have managed to secure long meetings with the former prime minister. At the same time, several other leaders — who were, at least till recently, being seen as loyal and dedicated to the PTI’s vision and cause — have been denied an audience. Naturally, this has gotten tongues a-wagging, and word is that Mr Khan is again unhappy with the people he entrusted with various tasks.
One must, of course, take such speculation with a healthy pinch of salt. There are many stakeholders with a strong interest in influencing the narratives around the PTI and its jailed leader, including some within the party. Nevertheless, it must still be exasperating for the party’s ordinary supporters to see their top leaders behaving as erratically as they have in the past. Even though there are now few doubts regarding the PTI’s resilience, the party leadership’s constant internal bickering and backstabbing have discouraged much confidence in the party’s health. From first impressions, it appears that the PTI remains beholden to a few individuals and cannot function smoothly in their absence. More concerningly, no one within the party or its supporters seems to want this to change. No doubt, the same can be said about most other political parties in Pakistan. However, the PTI presents itself as the only solution to Pakistan’s myriad problems. One would expect, as a corollary, that its leaders would demonstrate the same stability and maturity that they continue to promise to the nation. However, they keep falling short in practical application. Clearly, the party must set its house in order first.
Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025
Party pooper
INDIA’s role of a spoilsport is tiresome. From pulling books from shelves, such as Wendy Doniger’s The Hindus: An Alternative History to name justone, to targeting films, plays, satirists and actors with protests from far-right elements, the India-Pakistan rivalry has reached the cricket field, bookstores and the big screen. Last December, the Indian authorities halted the release of The Legend of Maula Jatt, a Pakistani blockbuster. This year, they ensured that Team India played its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai. Now this political chill is likely to devour Abir Gulaal, a new film scheduled for a May release, featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. As the teaser garnered substantial excitement from a large section of cinephiles, political outfits and film associations were quick to oppose the collaboration. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, a BJP ally known for its nuisance value, has stated that the film will not be screened in Maharashtra, while raking up the 2019 Pulwama incident.
Understandably, film bodies have little choice but to align with autocratic rulers. But the BJP-led regime’s refusal to lift its cross-border cultural and sports blockade has hurt the much-touted ‘Brand India’ campaign; such mindless ruckus is a blow to economic benefits, legitimate businesses and stakeholders on both sides. Only piracy networks stand to gain from it. Arts, sports and culture transcend caste, creed and borders. For the longest time, culture and cricket have served as diplomatic channels through which both countries have defused tensions and revived ties. Sadly, India’s religious and identity-based politics has no space for pragmatism. The consequences of hate are often irreversible. The onus is on India to give peace and prosperity a chance so that wider discussions can take place. This will ease visa restrictions, generate religious and cultural tourism as well as revive trade. The nuclear-armed neighbours must allow soft power to resolve hostilities.
Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025
WITH Balochistan in tumult, the political class needs to heal the province’s wounds with sagacity and far-sightedness. The need for security must be balanced with efforts to bring all those forces in Balochistan that believe in the constitutional process to the negotiating table and forge a path to peace based on reconciliation and confidence-building with the state.
In this regard, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while exchanging Eid greetings with the Balochistan chief minister in Lahore on Wednesday, reiterated that developing the province remained amongst his government’s top priorities, and that all efforts would be made to improve people’s lives. In a parallel development, the CM also made Eid visits to various political leaders of the province, including ex-Balochistan CM Abdul Malik Baloch. At the meeting CM Sarfraz Bugti welcomed “constructive proposals … to promote peace and development in the province”.
Mr Sharif and Mr Bugti have adopted the right approach, and though sceptics may say the state has come around to the idea of development and inclusivity a bit late in the day, one should remain optimistic, as the alternative is more violence. Development in the province is essential, and several past administrations have made similar promises to Balochistan. But holistic development can only work when there is organic and credible political activity in the province.
Reaching out to Dr Malik Baloch was the right step, and other Baloch leaders with credibility, such as Akhtar Mengal as well as the BYC, must be included in a wider outreach. In fact, political actors from across Pakistan must take the lead in engaging the democratic forces of Balochistan and earnestly addressing the woes of the province. There must be a commitment to respect the people’s political choices, along with an end to enforced disappearances and rights abuses in the province. Most importantly, both the civilian and the military arms of the state must endorse political outreach efforts to end the insurgency permanently.
Of course, the militant threat in Balochistan cannot be dismissed. Those who engage in terrorism and threaten the security of Pakistan must be dealt with through kinetic measures. But if non-violent political and rights movements are forcefully crushed by the state, the insurgency will be difficult to quell. That is why the state must make a clear distinction between peaceful activists, and violent militants, and refrain from demonising the former. If the people are not allowed to peacefully air their grievances, it will only radicalise such movements, and push them into the arms of the separatists. Moreover, hostile foreign actors will also exploit these internal fault lines to stir up trouble. Therefore, the state can begin anew in Balochistan and push for peace, or continue down the same failed path.
Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025
Poor publicity
FORTUNE does not seem to be favouring the PTI — at least not yet. With the party’s founder confined from public view and unable to interact with his deputies and the party’s rank and file growing increasingly paranoid about the circumstances of his incarceration, the PTI seems to be undergoing another round of internal upheaval. One wonders what has changed, and also how this period of turbulence might end. For context, it has lately become quite difficult for PTI office holders to confer with Imran Khan, and there has been a fair bit of discontent over who draws up his guest lists, who approves them, and why. Interestingly, in recent days, several PTI leaders who are perceived within the party to be advocates of a more conciliatory stance towards the security establishment have managed to secure long meetings with the former prime minister. At the same time, several other leaders — who were, at least till recently, being seen as loyal and dedicated to the PTI’s vision and cause — have been denied an audience. Naturally, this has gotten tongues a-wagging, and word is that Mr Khan is again unhappy with the people he entrusted with various tasks.
One must, of course, take such speculation with a healthy pinch of salt. There are many stakeholders with a strong interest in influencing the narratives around the PTI and its jailed leader, including some within the party. Nevertheless, it must still be exasperating for the party’s ordinary supporters to see their top leaders behaving as erratically as they have in the past. Even though there are now few doubts regarding the PTI’s resilience, the party leadership’s constant internal bickering and backstabbing have discouraged much confidence in the party’s health. From first impressions, it appears that the PTI remains beholden to a few individuals and cannot function smoothly in their absence. More concerningly, no one within the party or its supporters seems to want this to change. No doubt, the same can be said about most other political parties in Pakistan. However, the PTI presents itself as the only solution to Pakistan’s myriad problems. One would expect, as a corollary, that its leaders would demonstrate the same stability and maturity that they continue to promise to the nation. However, they keep falling short in practical application. Clearly, the party must set its house in order first.
Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025
Party pooper
INDIA’s role of a spoilsport is tiresome. From pulling books from shelves, such as Wendy Doniger’s The Hindus: An Alternative History to name justone, to targeting films, plays, satirists and actors with protests from far-right elements, the India-Pakistan rivalry has reached the cricket field, bookstores and the big screen. Last December, the Indian authorities halted the release of The Legend of Maula Jatt, a Pakistani blockbuster. This year, they ensured that Team India played its ICC Champions Trophy 2025 matches in Dubai. Now this political chill is likely to devour Abir Gulaal, a new film scheduled for a May release, featuring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan. As the teaser garnered substantial excitement from a large section of cinephiles, political outfits and film associations were quick to oppose the collaboration. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, a BJP ally known for its nuisance value, has stated that the film will not be screened in Maharashtra, while raking up the 2019 Pulwama incident.
Understandably, film bodies have little choice but to align with autocratic rulers. But the BJP-led regime’s refusal to lift its cross-border cultural and sports blockade has hurt the much-touted ‘Brand India’ campaign; such mindless ruckus is a blow to economic benefits, legitimate businesses and stakeholders on both sides. Only piracy networks stand to gain from it. Arts, sports and culture transcend caste, creed and borders. For the longest time, culture and cricket have served as diplomatic channels through which both countries have defused tensions and revived ties. Sadly, India’s religious and identity-based politics has no space for pragmatism. The consequences of hate are often irreversible. The onus is on India to give peace and prosperity a chance so that wider discussions can take place. This will ease visa restrictions, generate religious and cultural tourism as well as revive trade. The nuclear-armed neighbours must allow soft power to resolve hostilities.
Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2025