DAWN Editorials - 13th february2025

[faheemustad]

Trump’s folly

DONALD Trump has reiterated his horrifying plan to take over Gaza and permanently displace its Palestinian residents. In a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House, the US president signalled his intent to push ahead with the scheme despite global condemnation.

“We’re going to take it. We’re going to hold it, we’re going to cherish it,” Mr Trump declared, making it abundantly clear that he views Gaza not as the homeland of 2.2m Palestinians, but as a piece of real estate to be seized and repurposed.

This latest pronouncement only reinforces the fears of those who see the plan as a blueprint for ethnic cleansing. The proposed mass displacement of Gazans amounts to a grave violation of international law.


That Benjamin Netanyahu supports this scheme should surprise no one: the Israeli PM has already made clear his vision for a ‘Greater Israel’, which would see Palestinian territories effectively erased. His map of a ‘New Middle East’, proudly displayed at the UN last year confirms his expansionist ambitions.

The reaction from the Arab world has been swift. King Abdullah, facing immense US pressure, has refused to endorse the plan. Egypt has rejected any moves that would force Palestinians onto its soil, while Saudi Arabia has called the proposal an “unacceptable violation of Palestinian rights”.

The Arab League, too, has opposed Mr Trump’s reckless vision. Yet, despite this overwhelming backlash, the Israeli PM and US president remain undeterred. Mr Netanyahu has termed the plan “remarkable”, while Mr Trump has threatened to cut aid to Jordan if it refuses to absorb Palestinian refugees. Washington’s coercive tactics to strong-arm its allies into supporting an apartheid-like restructuring of the region betray its moral bankruptcy.

Mr Trump’s plan will not bring peace; it will bring further devastation, radicalism, and instability. The mass expulsion of Palestinians will not end the conflict — it will ensure its perpetual escalation.

This latest move by the Trump administration also threatens the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, as Palestinian groups see it as yet another attempt to erase their presence from their land. Hamas, for example, has already warned that it will not resume hostage releases under the current conditions.

With tensions already at a breaking point, the dangerous Trump scheme has only deepened uncertainty and turmoil in the region.

The Trump-Netanyahu scheme is not just infeasible — it is a moral abomination. The international community must not only reject it outright but also ensure that those who promote such inhumanity are held accountable. The world cannot afford to stand by as such blatant violations of human rights unfold. This is Palestinian land. It is not for sale, and its people will not be erased.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2025


Corruption ranking

IT comes as little surprise. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024, unveiled on Tuesday, sees Pakistan drop two points from its overall score, which now stands at 27. It is an embarrassing reflection on those in power, especially after the improvement reported just a year earlier. Several stakeholders had rushed to take credit for Pakistan’s two-point improvement in 2023, celebrating it as a shining example of the country doing better under its new management. It remains to be seen whether anyone will step forward to take responsibility for the regression that has been seen the very next year. As it is, there are several other fires that need tending. Looking at the broader picture, the CPI trend for Pakistan reveals some interesting insights. Starting from 2018, the country has done consistently worse every year in terms of the perceived prevalence of corruption, with 2023 being the sole exception. This decline has run parallel to the increasing influence of unelected stakeholders in governance, raising concerns about accountability and transparency under ‘hybrid’ regimes. On the other hand, between 2012 and 2018, Pakistan did consistently better in terms of perceived corruption in the country. This should be taken as an opportunity for reflection.

Another major concern highlighted by Transparency International is the impact of perceived corruption on pressing climate-related needs. “Corruption obstructs environmental policy, hijacks climate financing and hinders the enforcement of regulations and policies, leaving the most vulnerable with little recourse,” TI notes in a statement on the Asia Pacific region. With respect to Pakistan, it finds “systemic governance gaps and policy implementation barriers — including delays in implementing regulations and establishing institutions under the Climate Change Act of 2017”, which have “left its climate finance far below the projected $348bn needed by 2030”. This is deeply worrying. Pakistan must work with international partners and donors to meet critical climate adaptation needs, yet these efforts risk being undermined by persistent concerns over financial mismanagement, which could potentially deter international donors from investing in Pakistan’s climate resilience. While the country is making efforts to improve its policy, governance and administrative capacities for what will be a long struggle against environmental devastation, corruption, it seems, is the little-discussed Achilles’ heel. It must receive the same attention and seriousness as efforts to secure climate finance. Without this, much good work will be wasted.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2025


Support from remittances

EVEN though workers’ remittances dipped, albeit negligibly, in January on a month-over-month basis, the earnings that overseas Pakistanis send home continue to help the country’s current account stay in the positive zone. That remittances are helping the current account run a surplus month after month amid a widening trade deficit and dwindling foreign official and private inflows shows the economy’s reliance on the cash sent back by Pakistanis abroad. According to a brokerage company, remittances have been instrumental in delivering a current account surplus in eight out of the last 12 months, despite rising exports. The inflows have also been a key factor behind the stable exchange rate.

Data shows that monthly remittances have averaged $3bn per month, a significant increase from the $2.3-2.4bn monthly average seen in FY23 and the better part of FY24, since March. Cumulatively, remittances soared to $20.8bn in the first seven months of the current fiscal year — up by nearly 32pc from a year ago. The growth is led by an increase of 42pc in flows from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. A crackdown on the grey dollar trade, reduced political and economic volatility, a stable exchange rate, and forex market reforms are the major reasons for the robust remittance growth. Last but not least, IT firms, along with IT professionals, relocating to Dubai and elsewhere, due to curbs on the internet, is another reason for the rising remittances. The State Bank expects the current fiscal year to close with a record $35bn in remittances compared to last year’s $30.25bn, and the current account to end in a surplus that is 0.5pc of the size of the economy, thanks to overseas workers. However, overdependence on remittances for a longer period can prove risky for balance-of-payments stability. Such risks can be curtailed only through a rapid boost in export earnings to finance imports, rather than using inflows from remittances.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2025