DAWN Editorials - 14th february2025

[faheemustad]

Amazing show

PAKISTAN’S ability to turn it up at the flick of a switch remains uninhibited. The latest show came in Wednesday’s tri-nation series match against South Africa. It had become a virtual semi-final after both sides lost to New Zealand in their opening round-robin games. Chasing an imposing 353 to win, Pakistan seemed to be losing the plot — winning was crucial to keeping alive the euphoria of hosting the Champions Trophy, which starts next week — when they were reduced to 91-3. Pakistan needed a hero. They got two, in captain Mohammad Rizwan and his deputy Salman Ali Agha. Both struck magnificent centuries — Rizwan ending unbeaten on 122 and Salman hitting 134 — to take Pakistan to their highest-ever successful chase in One-day Internationals. Their partnership of 260 runs was the best ever for the side in an ODI chase and the third highest overall. It was remarkable how Pakistan showed the mental fortitude that was needed after they were outclassed by New Zealand. Rizwan and Salman make it look easy; both middle-order batters helped restore faith in the team. Victory in Friday’s tri-series final against New Zealand will raise hopes, with Pakistan playing the same opponents in the Champions Trophy opener on Feb 19.

However, the victory does not mean that areas of concern — particularly in bowling — can be forgotten. Pakistan have bled runs, especially in the death overs in both their tri-series matches. The pacers have been hit to all parts and the spinners have not looked as effective. That needs to be addressed by the team management as Pakistan hope to get pace spearhead Haris Rauf back to full fitness before the Champions Trophy. Haris looked good in the game against New Zealand until he was forced out of the game and tri-series after a muscle sprain. In his absence, the others need to step up on Friday and demonstrate that Pakistan are ready for the Champions Trophy.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2025


Difficult target

A ONE-two punch delivered by an unforeseen, sharp dip in inflation and an extremely slim base of taxpayers is expected to leave the country’s top tax agency with a big hole in its overly ambitious revenue target of around Rs13tr. Since the announcement of the present budget, it was obvious to most that the FBR would miss the target that demanded revenues to grow by nearly 40pc over last year’s collection as the authorities had skirted structural reforms needed to broaden the tax net and make the taxation system equitable and just. Much of the burden of the additional revenues was shifted onto existing taxpayers, including salaried classes; the rest was expected to come ‘autonomously’ from economic expansion and higher inflation.

With inflation now below 3pc, the tax authorities expect a revenue shortfall of at least Rs0.5tr. Many fear that the hole could widen to almost Rs1tr as the FBR is already struggling with a gap of Rs468bn in its target for the July-January period. According to a report in this paper, the tax authorities argue that this gap cannot be covered without increasing the tax rates for existing taxpayers or imposing new taxes due to the narrow base. This proposal has already been rejected by the prime minister on account of its negative political consequences. The revenue shortfall, on the other hand, will not go down well with the IMF, which was reported to have refused an earlier request from Islamabad to slash the tax target in view of rapid deflation. However, the tax authorities are confident that the IMF will overlook the collection gap if they achieve the tax-to-GDP ratio of 10.6pc for the current year since the lender is aware of the economic factors responsible for it. How the IMF is going to respond will not be clear until the second biannual performance review of the programme in summer. Yet we will get some early hints from the Fund during the first review next month. The difficulty facing the FBR in meeting its target underscores how crucial it is to execute tax reforms to broaden the base and make the system fair and equitable if the country’s tax revenue potential is to be realised. Contingent upon it is not just the IMF funding but also Pakistan’s future financial and economic viability.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2025


Dangerous times

SPEAKING the truth should never be a death sentence. The most recent figures published by the Committee to Protect Journalists highlight that last year was the deadliest year for reporters and media workers ever since the committee started keeping track of journalist killings about 30 years ago. The CPJ notes that at least 124 journalists were killed in 18 countries in 2024, “reflecting surging levels of international conflict, political unrest and criminality worldwide”.

Given its disregard for international law and human rights — as well as its routine engagement in war crimes — it is unsurprising that the Israeli military was the worst offender, by a significant margin. A total of 85 journalists were killed in the Israel-Gaza conflict in 2024, all at the hands of the Israeli military. Of the total, 82 were Palestinians, while three were of other nationalities. Alarmingly, Pakistan ranked at number two, along with Sudan, for the most journalist fatalities.


“Today is the most dangerous time to be a journalist in CPJ’s history,” CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg was quoted as saying. It is possibly also the most difficult professionally.

The rise of social media has greatly democratised information creation and sharing. Inadvertently, it has also magnified all the dangers of mass communication that responsible media outlets spent decades building processes and policies to avoid. With disinformation spreading and public discourse growing increasingly polarised, demagogues worldwide have attacked mainstream media, seeking to erode its credibility.

‘Influencers’ have used their clout and platforms to sow distrust against media workers, gradually diminishing public empathy for journalists’ struggles and plight. This much is evident in the apparent lack of concern for journalists’ life and liberty amid a rapid rise in reported fatalities.

“The rise in journalist killings is part of a broader trend of muzzling the media globally. This is an issue that should worry us all — because censorship prevents us from addressing corruption and criminality, and from holding the powerful to account,” the CPJ chief notes.


This trend is especially evident in Pakistan, where the media has been under siege for many years amid an ongoing sociopolitical crisis. Attempts to control it have become considerably more brazen with time, and the industry is now being targeted with lawfare as well as outright violence by both state and non-state actors.

Pakistan accounted for six journalist killings in 2024, of which three were deliberately murdered, according to the CPJ. The year marked the first time since 2021 that journalist fatalities were recorded in the country, making the deteriorating situation all the more alarming.

Journalists’ lives should not be written off as mere statistics. They provide a vital public service that involves much personal sacrifice. It is tragic that their important contributions to society are being repaid with increased violence and suppression.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2025