Express Tribune Editorials 5th March 2025

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USAID cut health toll
Barely six weeks into his second term as president, Donald Trump has made sure that his legacy will be the proliferation of death and suffering around the world. As part of an election promise to address the federal budget deficit while focusing more on domestic needs, Trump has slashed US foreign aid to almost nothing.

Before Trump's second inauguration, his advisor, Elon Musk, claimed he would help shave $2 trillion off the federal budget. But despite the carnage of recent weeks, by his own measure, he has only cut $65 billion, while journalists and Musk's own data only show, at best, about $10 billion in savings.


Meanwhile, USAID spending in 2024 accounted for just 0.3% of US federal spending, and the return on that investment is huge. Several previous secretaries of state and defence have noted that diplomacy in general and USAID, in particular, have saved the US billions by helping address international problems that could destabilise regions and impact US geopolitical and economic interests while also raising US prestige by helping people on the ground in some of the poorest countries in the world.

The impact of slashing US foreign aid on global health is profound and alarming. As the world's largest foreign aid provider, the US plays a critical role in combating diseases, supporting healthcare infrastructure and providing humanitarian assistance in regions that desperately need it.

The proposed cuts will unravel decades of progress in improving health outcomes and managing public health crises. Experts say up to one million children could suffer from acute malnutrition due to cuts to food aid, while up to 166,000 additional deaths from malaria are possible. A projected increase of 30% in new TB cases and, in a worst-case scenario, the potential paralysis of 200,000 more children from polio over the next decade are harrowing outcomes of this cost-cutting.

Unfortunately, while it is not very hard to change the notoriously transactional Trump's mind, it is clear he places no value on the lives of foreigners, especially poor ones.


Ramazan profiteering
With the arrival of Ramazan, an unfortunate yet predictable pattern has emerged - profiteering that preys on the increased demand for essential food items. Despite an official price list, enforcement remains absent, and the administration's response has been limited to symbolic complaint centres. As a result, citizens are once again at the mercy of traders who exploit the holy month for financial gain.


What makes this even more troubling is that these exploitative practices peak during a sacred month meant for generosity and heightened God-consciousness. Instead of fostering a spirit of compassion, vendors and wholesalers inflate prices without hesitation. This unchecked price gouging is even more indefensible given the recent drop in Pakistan's inflation rate.

In February 2025, inflation fell to 1.5% YoY - the lowest level since September 2015, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. With overall inflation easing, there is no justification for the sudden surge in food prices during Ramazan. The fact that prices continue to soar despite improved economic indicators exposes not only the inefficiency of regulatory authorities but also the greed of those controlling the market.

Each year, government officers are given magistrate powers to regulate food prices during Ramazan, yet the effort remains reactionary at best. A few token raids are conducted, a handful of violators are penalised, and then business resumes as usual. There is no long-term deterrence, leaving citizens forced to either cut back on their purchases or pay unjustified prices for essential items.

This cycle cannot continue. The government must introduce a Ramazan price strategy with strict price enforcement and real-time monitoring. Instead of short-term remedial measures, authorities must establish a rapid-response mechanism to address market manipulation as it happens.


Torkham turbulence
There is some serious confusion between Kabul and Islamabad as they are refusing to see from the same prism of geo-economics. The straining of relations between the two states over a petty issue of building a check-post is worrisome, and hints at some deep-rooted mistrust that is pushing them over the brink. While tension had been simmering on the Torkham border for the last few weeks, it is utterly unwarranted to see skirmishes take place between the two sides, resulting in the death of an Afghan border guard and injuries to scores of others, including Pakistan's FC soldiers. Though Pakistani authorities are tight-lipped over the clashes, there are reports of sporadic firing and damage to checkpoints on either side.


The controversy is regarding the unilateral decision of the Afghan Taliban to build a check-post on their side without informing Pakistan, which is mandatory as per reciprocity. The adamant attitude on the part of the Taliban rulers who are refusing to address the issue of non-state actors has become a bone of contention. Moreover, the fact that clashes erupted as talks were underway is quite unfortunate, and that too during the holy month of Ramadan.

The contentious border is a major source of succour to Afghans as hundreds of trucks and pedestrians cross it from Pakistan. Besides, hundreds and thousands in the surrounding region enter Pakistan through it for work. This aspect should be valued by Kabul, and there is no point in digging heels on frivolous issues like what seems to be the case this time around. The brewing chaos is feared to graduate into a renewed crisis of confidence, and this is where some astute leadership is needed to restore normalcy.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are passing through a critical phase wherein terrorism is bouncing back, which goes on to undermine the vitality of regional cooperation. CPEC, TAPI and other logistical networks find themselves in limbo as bilateralism gets estranged. This Torkham turbulence is now getting on the nerves, and is in need of a generous solution by flagging tribal conventions and cordiality.
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