DAWN Editorials - 28th April 2025

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Haj mismanagement

THE relevant authorities in Pakistan are often blamed for negligence and poor management when it comes to Haj arrangements — and not without reason. This time around, apparent bungling and finger-pointing may prevent around 67,000 Pakistani pilgrims from making the voyage to the holy land to carry out their religious duties. In fact, the prime minister recently held a meeting to discuss the crisis, promising to approach the Saudi government to resolve the issue, while expressing his displeasure with the religious affairs ministry over the debacle. The official Haj quota for Pakistani pilgrims — including those travelling through the government scheme and those going through private operators — is just over 179,000 individuals for the current year. But 67,000 of these intending hajis may not make the cut. Various reasons are being cited for the lapse. Some reports indicate that the private Haj organisers have failed to meet the Saudi government’s criteria, while the operators claim the problem lies with the Saudi authorities, whose system ‘crashed’, delaying payments. Other reports suggest that the money for Haj was sent to the wrong Saudi account.

A thorough, transparent probe is required to indicate what exactly went wrong, and to ensure it does not happen again. Moreover, the PM should request the Saudi government to allow all the pilgrims that have qualified to proceed for Haj. The fact is that mismanagement has plagued the organisation of the pilgrimage for years. In the past, a religious affairs minister, along with other senior officials, were convicted — later acquitted — in a Haj corruption case. Nearly every year, pilgrims complain of inadequate, substandard lodging and transport facilities, as well as hidden costs. The state needs to ensure that the whole Haj experience — from the application stage to the pilgrims’ return home — is a smooth and painless one. This sacred rite should not be spoiled due to bureaucratic bungling and the avarice of unscrupulous organisers.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2025


Culture war

THE heightened tensions between India and Pakistan have sealed the fate of Abir Gulaal. Slated for a May release and starring Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, the film now faces a ban in India. Plagued with boycott calls by extremists since it was announced, the new statement from The Federation of Western India Cine Employees not only pulls the plug on the movie but declares war on Pakistan’s cultural forays: “...we have been made aware of the recent collaboration with Pakistani actor Fawad Khan for the Hindi film Abir Gulaal. In light of the recent attack in Pahalgam, FWICE is once again compelled to issue a blanket boycott on all Pakistani artistes, singers and technicians participating in any Indian film or entertainment projects … occurring anywhere in the world.” Reportedly, the BCCI is mulling a ban on bilateral cricket with Pakistan.

India’s far-right ideologues and their supporters have worked overtime to instil animosity and hate; the venomous discourse on its mainstream media and social media platforms is at dangerous levels whereby, in a deeply prejudiced and polarised society, large swathes are pitted against the Muslim minority and ‘Pakistani’ has morphed into a slur. One can safely say that, in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s India, a cricket match between the two nuclear-armed neighbours or even a random cultural event is fraught with danger for Pakistani stars and spectators. We have seen worse times — the Gujarat pogrom to cite just one — but reasonable leaderships ensured that a system of checks and balances prevented a deluge of fake news and emotionally charged language in print and electronic media. But the past is indeed another country. Today, exaggerated sentiments along with a range of communal issues have afflicted daily life in India; even the opposition parties and many progressive activists sing diluted versions of the same tune. Resultantly, the perceived war on Pakistani culture is, in reality, the monster of hate turning on its own. Fanaticism breeds its own culture, which is often hard and insular, and its impacts are difficult to erase. The Indian government should do its citizens a favour, and distance itself from the binding forces of sports, arts and culture. Their core duty is to ensure that sociopolitical pressures do not rise to a point where social cohesion lies in tatters. Cultural collaborations mean socioeconomic growth, unity, and serve as social safety valves.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2025


At heat’s mercy

PAKISTAN is in the midst of an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring 4°C to 7°C above normal across much of the country.

This extreme weather is expected to persist till the end of the month, with some regions already experiencing highs of 49°C. What was once considered rare has become alarmingly common, as climate change accelerates the frequency and severity of such events. Yet, despite repeated warnings from scientists and international bodies, Pakistan remains woefully unprepared for the escalating climate crisis.


The effects of the heatwave are rippling through every sector. Agriculture, the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, is under severe stress as excess heat kills crops and worsens water scarcity. Reports of early wheat crop failures are already emerging, threatening both food security and rural livelihoods.

At the same time, water resources are being strained to the limit. Faster-than-normal snowmelt in the northern mountains, spurred by high temperatures, raises the spectre of flash floods while jeopardising water availability during the critical summer months.

Public health infrastructure is also under immense pressure. Hospitals are seeing an increase in heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable groups such as outdoor labourers, the elderly and children. The memory of the 2015 Karachi heatwave, which claimed over 1,200 lives, looms large and must not be ignored. Meanwhile, power outages in various areas highlight the fragility of the energy grid at a time when uninterrupted supply is a matter of life and death.


The government must roll out relief measures without delay. As highlighted by the NDMA, cooling centres should be established in urban and rural hotspots. Water resources must be managed and prioritised for essential needs and work hours for outdoor labour should be adjusted to minimise exposure. Public health services need to be fully equipped to manage heatstroke and related conditions, and power must be prioritised for hospitals and essential water infrastructure.

Beyond these short-term interventions, there is a pressing need for a long-term strategy to adapt to the warming climate. This includes investing in water storage and management, promoting climate-resilient crops and efficient irrigation techniques, and expanding urban greenery to reduce heat absorption. Early warning systems must be enhanced, and local disaster response mechanisms strengthened to ensure timely action.

The current heatwave is not merely a temporary discomfort; it is a dire warning of what lies ahead if Pakistan fails to confront the realities of climate change. Policymakers must treat this crisis as a national emergency. The most vulnerable citizens cannot afford the cost of inaction. As temperatures continue to rise, so too must our commitment to building climate resilience. Rather than half-measures, the situation demands bold, coordinated action to safeguard lives, livelihoods and the country’s future.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2025