DAWN Editorials - 1st August 2025

[zarnishhayat]

New Pak-US era?

THE new deal reached between Pakistan and the US marks a breakthrough in their oft-strained relations. Both sides claimed on Thursday that they have reached a deal. American President Donald Trump said it will help the two allies tap Pakistan’s “massive oil reserves”.

“We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership,” he announced on social media. While the US president did not mention tariffs, Islamabad said the agreement would lead to a reduction in the steep reciprocal import taxes Washington had slapped on its exports under the so-called Liberation Day duties announced in April but temporarily suspended for 90 days to give room for trade talks. Pakistan faces a potential tariff of 29pc.

The country’s finance ministry said this deal signals “the beginning of a new era of economic collaboration especially in energy, mines and minerals, IT, cryptocurrency and other sectors”. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb described it as a win-win situation for both nations. While neither side gave too many details, Pakistani authorities expect the pact to boost bilateral trade, expand market access, attract investment and foster strategic cooperation.

The minister said: “From our perspective, it was always going beyond the immediate trade imperative. The whole point of this is that trade and investment have to go hand in hand.” The announcement came a day after Mr Trump slapped 25pc tariffs on imports from India to punish it for its Russian oil purchases. Therefore, the ‘symbolism’ of the pact is likely to matter more than the sketchy specifics of the agreement — especially the tariff reductions which Islamabad claims to have secured.

That said, the deal reflects a willingness on the part of the leadership of the two countries to recalibrate their transactional security-focused relationship in favour of a greater focus on strategic trade and investment ties. This surprise turn in bilateral relations should send a positive signal to foreign investors, especially American firms, which have so far been reluctant to bring their capital to Pakistan due to the chill in relations for the last several years.

Whether or not Mr Trump plans to convert his energy cooperation rhetoric into action will only be known after a final tariff deal is announced. Islamabad is seeking a substantial reduction in reciprocal tariffs from 29pc to 15-20pc, on a par with other recent US trade agreements, particularly with Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. But Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar believes that Pakistan should be fine “as long as we are better than or equal to our peers”. A favourable tariff deal is critical for us as the US is our single largest export market. The deal will also determine the future direction of economic and investment cooperation between both states.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2025


Hasty disqualifications

THERE were no surprises here. Earlier this week, four lawmakers associated with the PTI, including the leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, were disqualified and their seats vacated by the Election Commission of Pakistan based on recent convictions in the May 9 cases. On Thursday, a Faisalabad anti-terrorism court gave the ECP more ammunition by convicting and handing down lengthy sentences to several other lawmakers, including the opposition leaders of both the National Assembly and Senate. The Constitution, under Article 63(1)(h), requires a lawmaker’s disqualification in case of a criminal conviction where the sentence exceeds two years of imprisonment. This was the technicality cited by the ECP when it formally disqualified and de-seated the previous lot of lawmakers. Morally, however, this is a different issue altogether.

There is little doubt in the minds of many that the convictions being handed down by the ATCs to political leaders have been excessive and unjustified. Serious questions have been raised about the quality of the evidence presented against the accused, and there have been concerns throughout about the denial of due process to those alleged to have committed serious crimes. The counsels for the defendants in these cases firmly believe that the convictions will not stand if they are subjected to a fair hearing in higher courts. In these circumstances, it would have been far better for the ECP to have proceeded with some restraint. It should have allowed the affected lawmakers some time to appeal their convictions. It is strange that technicalities quickly come to bear when a particular outcome is possible, but rules and regulations are otherwise treated as worth less than the paper they are printed on. This has been the story of our democracy for the past many years, even decades. Inevitably, other considerations come to prevail, and such convictions are rendered meaningless. This has been a running feature in every political cycle. Still, it must be repeated that the ECP’s main responsibility is to uphold the people’s mandate. Given its many failings with respect to this responsibility — as exemplified by the botched conduct of the last general election and the subsequent mishandling of the many controversies that followed — it should seek to limit the damage it causes. The people’s mandate is not something to be trifled with; alas, this is something the ECP consistently fails to appreciate.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2025


Selfless act

EVEN in death, some courageously choose to offer others a second chance at life. The recent example of 23-year-old Sultan Zafar, whose kidneys were donated by his grieving mother — a doctor at the very institution (SIUT) where the transplants were performed — is deeply moving. In a moment of unimaginable personal loss, Dr Mehr Afroze chose to give two strangers the gift of life. This brave and selfless act deserves the highest recognition, as does the decision by Dawn’s own former staffer, Zubeida Mustafa, who donated her eyes after her recent passing. Such stories highlight not only individual courage but also the life-saving power of deceased organ donation.

The government has done well by announcing last year that a special logo will be added to the CNICs of registered donors. It is a welcome step towards normalising the practice. But much more needs to be done to build a culture of donation. First and foremost, information about how to register as a donor must be made easily accessible in hospitals, clinics and Nadra offices, and widely disseminated through media campaigns in regional languages. Doctors must be trained to initiate these conversations with patients and their families. Islamic scholars — who have already declared organ donation to be sadaqah-i-jariyah — must continue to reassure the public that religion supports this noble act. Every organ donor has the potential to save up to eight lives and transform many more through tissue donations. And yet, myths and misconceptions continue to stand in the way. It is time society collectively shed its hesitation. Acts like those of Sultan Zafar’s family — and countless unsung others — must not be the exception, but the norm. Choosing to become a donor is a profound declaration of hope, even in death. Let us honour those who have made that choice — and urge others to do the same.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2025