DAWN Editorials - 10th January 2025

[faheemustad]

E-governance

DURING his recent visit to Karachi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is said to have remarked on the need to integrate the entire economy through an ‘e-governance’ system.

But in a country where stable internet connectivity is not guaranteed, where communication networks are deliberately compromised to facilitate state snoops, and where the government still mostly does business on ink and paper, wishing for a viable e-governance system seems like a pipe dream.


One can only imagine the chaos that would be unleashed every time the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority felt like throttling or shutting down the internet, both things which it demonstrated an alarming penchant for over the course of last year. Such measures would not only leave a lot of young people very bored, frustrated and unhappy, but could also mean there may be no official business on shutdown days, compounding the economic losses from internet disruptions.

As it is, the Pakistani state has a rather poor reputation when it comes to implementing technological solutions at the national level. Early last year, the nation was treated to the spectacular failure of one such ‘technologically advanced’ system, which was touted as having the ability to withstand all challenges that could be thrown at it, including internet shutdown or disruption.

This was, of course, the Election Management System created under the supervision of the Election Commission of Pakistan, which was extensively extolled as a panacea for all the ills that had afflicted the 2018 general election. Quite comically, it proved even more inept than its predecessor once it was finally put to the test.

With that in mind, one feels something of an anticipatory anxiety thinking about a future where many such systems have been rolled out and integrated into one. Anyone who has been to a government office on a ‘system down’ day can well imagine what routine dealings may become in such a scenario.


Of course, the idea itself is commendable and must be encouraged. The only point being made is that the state needs maturity and a lot more expertise than currently seems available in those it has tasked with dealing with technology and its various applications in both civil and government use cases.

E-governance is, indeed, the future. It is also not a novel idea. However, our state’s staggering, stumbling progress towards it underlines that the country needs proven experts leading all IT-related affairs instead of retired military personnel or professional paper-pushers drawn from the nation’s burgeoning bureaucracy. The prime minister is right when he stresses the need to integrate systems for better governance. However, his government has a lot of work to do to create the conditions necessary for his vision to be realised.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2025


Khuzdar rampage

THE two most lethal terrorist threats that confront Pakistan are religiously inspired militants, led by the banned TTP, and separatist elements in Balochistan, particularly the proscribed BLA. On Wednesday, the latter showed that it is capable of unleashing major havoc, with the state unable to mount a matching response. In a brazen attack, BLA militants rampaged through the Zehri area of Khuzdar district, pillaging at will.

According to reports, a band of at least 80 militants descended from the nearby mountains and proceeded to destroy government buildings, along with looting a private bank. They also managed to take local Levies personnel hostage. The Kalat commissioner says the episode lasted for nearly eight hours.

Thankfully, no loss of life was reported. The episode bears a resemblance to the coordinated assault last August, also carried out by the BLA, in which the terrorist group attacked security personnel as well as civilians, resulting in over 70 fatalities.


The first thing that strikes one about the Khuzdar attack is the delayed response of the security forces. Those responsible must explain how terrorists were able to commandeer the area for eight hours. The episode unfortunately shows that the state is unprepared to tackle such situations. When a major mass-casualty attack was launched last year, the relevant quarters should have prepared accordingly to prevent a similar situation. Clearly, this was not done.

Independent experts are of the view that the BLA has become the single biggest security threat in Balochistan. Its attacks have displayed increasing sophistication, indicating its fighters are receiving proper training. It has also launched terrorist assaults as far afield as Karachi. Therefore, the security establishment, the centre and the Balochistan government must take relevant countermeasures to safeguard the lives and properties of the province’s people.

Counterterrorism strategies should be adapted to match the nature of the threat. It is not enough to say that separatist forces are receiving external help. Such links should be exposed with proof, while the required action must be taken domestically to prevent terrorists from establishing safe havens on Balochistan’s soil. Kinetic measures should be accompanied by socioeconomic steps to address the province’s backwardness, while the democratic process must be allowed to proceed unhindered. As per World Bank figures, the poverty rate in Khuzdar is over 71pc. It is such misery and neglect that militants exploit.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2025


Beyond wheelchairs

THE KP government’s Rs370m assistance programme for persons with disabilities is a positive step, not only in terms of material support but also the use of more respectful terminology. However, our journey towards genuine inclusion requires more than semantic changes and financial packages. While legislation such as the Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) Ordinance, 1981, the more recent Disability Rights Act, and provincial laws exist on paper, implementation is weak. The promised 2pc job quota in government departments is rarely fulfilled, and most workplaces lack basic accessibility features. Our urban infrastructure — from public transport to government buildings — remains largely inaccessible, effectively excluding a portion of our population from public life.

KP’s initiative can be a model for other provinces, but must go beyond financial assistance. True inclusion demands major reform. The federal government must focus on integrating our disability laws into provincial and municipal frameworks. Infrastructure projects must adhere to universal design principles, ensuring physical accessibility in schools, workplaces, and transport. More importantly, social attitudes must shift through awareness campaigns that challenge stereotypes and promote the idea of equal opportunities for PWD. Education plays a critical role in this regard. Public and private educational institutions must be incentivised to create inclusive environments, while training programmes should equip teachers to cater to diverse needs. Similarly, while several companies have employed PWD, making this practice the norm, providing vocational training opportunities can enable them to lead economically independent lives. Most crucially, policy planning must directly involve PWD, following the principle of ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’. Digital accessibility should also be prioritised alongside physical infrastructure, ensuring government services and information are available to all citizens regardless of ability. We must ensure PWD are not merely supported but also empowered to thrive as equal members of society.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2025