DAWN Editorials - 3rd August 2025

[zarnishhayat]

Hybrid Ruin

IS it hubris or something else that motivates the regime to set the bar lower each time it has an opportunity to put things back on track?

In recent days, various anti-terrorism courts have handed down wholesale punishments to elected leaders and political workers affiliated with the PTI, over various cases related to the violence and rioting that broke out in parts of the country on May 9, 2023.

Scores have been convicted and handed lengthy sentences in relation to cases that were long criticised as politically motivated, built on ‘fabricated’ or weak evidence, and prosecuted without regard to due process. Several elected lawmakers, including the opposition leaders in both the Senate and the National Assembly, stand to lose their seats under Article 63(1)(h) of the Constitution. Some have already been de-notified by the Election Commission, including the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly, in what critics describe as ‘undue haste’.

The scale of lawfare against political workers is unprecedented in Pakistan’s history. Never before have so many lawmakers and political workers been convicted during a period of what is supposed to be democratic rule, and never before have political workers been tried as terrorists. One must give credit where it is due: to politicians who campaigned long and hard for civil supremacy and democracy, and judges who once decried judicial capture.

Unfortunately, these very politicians abandoned their principles as soon as the doors to power were flung open for them, while the judges appear to have surrendered their independence and responsibility. These are difficult times, with no end in sight. The damage already wrought will take decades to heal and reverse. And yet, sadly, there seems to be no recognition or acceptance among even the civilians who hold the present regime together that it may be time to turn back.

At least those left out by the system still have the luxury of speaking rationally. Friday’s declaration, shared after the opposition’s multiparty conference, has sought a truth and reconciliation commission that could probe the collapse of the constitutional order and bring to book those “judges, generals and politicians” who have violated the Constitution, harmed democracy and usurped people’s rights. It also seeks a new charter of democracy between all political parties, along with the abolition of the ‘hybrid system’ of governance recently extolled by the defence minister.

If civil supremacy is indeed what Pakistani leaders seek, this may be the most sensible way out of the present mess. However, given their proclivity for partnerships with unelected powerbrokers, it still seems like a distant dream. The PTI may be suffering, but it still wants the blessing of its tormentors more than the sympathy of their other victims. And this, unfortunately, is our democracy’s Achilles heel.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2025


No Advantage

THE new agreement between Pakistan and the US, heralded as a ‘strategic’ breakthrough in their trade and investment ties, has sparked hopes of a potential boost in our exports to America — our single largest market. However, the sketchy details of the deal suggest that the reduction in the punishing US reciprocal tariffs on Pakistani goods — from the previous 29pc to 19pc — levels the ground but does not give the country an edge over its competitors in the US market. That we have dodged a steeper tariff is a relief. But it will not push Pakistan into the American market ahead of its regional rivals. In fact, our key regional rivals — barring India — have received a better deal than us. For example, countries such as Vietnam and Bangladesh were initially slapped with higher ad valorem duties of 46pc and 37pc respectively. That gave Pakistan a clear advantage. But the subsequent reduction in duties on these nations to 20pc has eroded that advantage. At best, Pakistan now retains parity with most of its competitors. We have lost the opportunity to secure the preferential, greater market access needed for a decisive export surge to the US.

Unless the details of the deal are made public, an element of uncertainty regarding the consequences of inconclusiveness of the pact will persist. In his executive order, President Donald Trump has tied his revised global tariffs to broader security and economic cooperation with its trading partners. The failure of talks will automatically invite 10pc ad valorem duties on any faltering trading partner of the US. Pakistan, as per the executive order, falls into the category of countries that have either finalised an agreement, or are close to agreeing on meaningful commitments, with the US. Unless we have concluded the pact and signed it, the threat of additional punitive import taxes will continue to loom large over our goods. Further, if India, despite its current higher tariffs, manages to strike a more favourable deal in the weeks ahead, Pakistan’s perceived gains over its arch rival could quickly evaporate. The new trade deal with Washington may give some breathing space, but it is also a reminder that Pakistan needs to urgently address issues such as exorbitantly high energy costs, steep taxes, policy inconsistency, etc, which are affecting the international competitiveness of its goods, besides working on economic diplomacy to obtain greater market access from Washington.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2025


Starvation politics

THE visit of US envoy Steve Witkoff to Gaza’s aid corridors underlines how broken the West’s humanitarian response is to the Gaza war. Rather than help restore UN-led relief efforts after Israel blocked most humanitarian access to the occupied territory, the US has backed an alternative aid model, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, whose poorly managed food distribution points have become death zones. More than 1,300 Palestinians, many of them women and children, have died trying to access aid. Some were trampled in stampedes; others were shot by Israeli forces as they queued for survival. With Gaza now in the grip of famine — and malnutrition ravaging a quarter of its children and pregnant women — the GHF model is indefensible. UN agencies have rightly refused to endorse it, warning that these chaotic distribution centres are neither neutral nor safe. Human Rights Watch has called them “bloodbaths”. Still, Washington continues to prop them up.

Mr Witkoff’s visit comes amid diplomatic movement. A peace conference was held in New York recently with proposals for a two-state framework, Hamas disarmament and hostage release. Encouragingly, countries such as France and Canada favour a Palestinian state. But such signals are long overdue. Western governments, particularly the US, have indulged Israel’s devastating war for far too long. Their selective outrage — vocal on hostages, silent on mass Palestinian suffering — has cost tens of thousands of lives. President Donald Trump, who once gave Israel carte blanche, appears to be softening his stance, acknowledging “real starvation” in Gaza, and Israeli author David Grossman— once reluctant to utter the word — has called his own country’s campaign in Gaza “genocide”, explaining he now uses the term “with immense pain and with a broken heart”. But words will not suffice. The global community must act now. A ceasefire is imperative. UN access must be restored — and most crucially, Palestinian statehood must be recognised within a two-state framework.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2025