DAWN Editorials - 19th february2025
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 5:06 pm
Migration matters
THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN dataset on global migration patterns. It shows that the total number of migrants has nearly doubled from 1990, reaching 304m in 2024. While this appears substantial in absolute terms, migrants still constitute only 3.7pc of the global population, reflecting a modest increase from 2.9pc in 1990. For Pakistan, the data tells a different story. Historically, one of the largest hosts of displaced persons, the country has seen a marked decline in its international migrant stock. In 1990, Pakistan hosted 6.2m migrants, a figure that fell to 3.94m by 2010 and remains 4.18m in 2024. While international migrants made up 5.3pc of the population in 1990, this has now fallen to 1.7pc — a notable demographic shift. These figures are indicative of Pakistan’s diminishing role as a destination country, despite its strategic location.
The government’s decision to expel undocumented Afghans has altered migrant statistics. Many refugees now face precarious conditions, compounded by the suspension of resettlement programmes by Western nations. Additionally, Pakistan remains a significant source country for labour migration, with large numbers of its citizens heading to the Middle East, Europe, and North America for employment. Pakistan needs a balanced migration policy that addresses three key areas. First, it must modernise its border management and visa systems to better track and regulate cross-border movements while fulfilling humanitarian obligations. Second, the country should create incentives to attract skilled foreign workers through simplified procedures and clear pathways for professional integration. Third, systematic data collection on migration patterns is essential to inform policy decisions. Pakistan’s strategic location and large youth population position it uniquely to benefit from both sending workers abroad and receiving foreign talent. However, these advantages can only be realised through well-planned policies that turn migration challenges into opportunities for national development.
Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2025
Hollow words
IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. Indeed, Pakistani politicians appear to have mastered the art. But the current rulers do not realise that their words are fast losing their lustre because they repeat the same thing countless times. For example, first, they continually tried to reassure citizens that a few ‘friendly’ Gulf countries planned to invest $100bn in the country within five years. This, they claimed, would change the nation’s economic landscape. The number has since shrunk to a few billion dollars. Now they say that the World Bank’s promised $20bn investment under its new long-term Country Partnership Framework will address Pakistan’s troubles related to climate change, stunting, learning, and inclusive development. But while doing so, they hide the fact that the number is an ‘indicative’ one and hinges on the funds available with the lender over the plan’s 10-year life and, more crucially, the implementation of reforms that our elites continue to resist.
On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used his meeting with a visiting World Bank team to repeat for the umpteenth time that the yet-to-arrive inflow of ‘$40bn investment’ from the bank reflected confidence in his policies, and would open a ‘new chapter’ in various sectors. Clearly, he did not realise how hollow such routine political rhetoric sounds to the people; such words have lost their lustre for those struggling to survive. Any investment in areas critical to the development of human capital must be welcomed, given our enormous financial needs. But no such investment, no matter how big, can make the desired, sustained impact without social sector reforms. Can a nation make economic progress when four out of every 10 of its children suffer from stunting? Have policymakers wondered how much people without skills or education can contribute to economic productivity? Foreign loans and grants can do only so much. If the social sector is to be fixed, and a healthy, literate and skilled manpower developed, the government will have to restructure its policies. Unless it shifts its focus from brick-and-mortar projects to human development, no number of grants and loans can help the economy make impactful and sustainable headway, nor can the public’s trust be restored in politicians who promise the moon.
Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2025
Out of control
AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’ challenges to the state’s writ will be tolerated before a full-throttled response is launched.
Another spate of attacks on an aid convoy, which eyewitnesses said was instigated by locals, has threatened to undo the attempts to stabilise the region. Shortly after noon on Monday, the aid convoy, which was destined for Parachinar, came under attack in Lower Kurram. A firefight ensued, which continued for two hours, leaving a Pakistan Army soldier martyred and seven others injured.
A few hours later, there was an attempt to loot the stranded trucks, triggering another gunfight between the security escort and looters. Five Frontier Corps personnel were left injured. Finally, another couple of hours later, an FC Quick Response Force dispatched to rescue the injured was ambushed near a local government school. Four FC personnel were martyred in the attack.
Kurram District has for long posed an administrative headache for the authorities. It has attained notoriety as a hotbed for sectarian and ideologically driven violence. Citizens in geographically boxed-in locations like Parachinar live a miserable existence, caught up in sectarian violence between local tribes.
The militants who control their surrounding areas have placed it under siege, and their virulent hatred seems to make no exceptions, not even for the old and the ailing or for sick children. Besieged thus, Parachinar went for months without adequate food supplies, medicine or fuel late last year.
The aid convoys, which started after the government finally managed to enforce a ceasefire between the warring factions at the beginning of the year, are supposed to meet the urgent human needs of the citizens of Parachinar. Not even the fact that they are under the protection of the state has deterred local spoilers from targeting them, however.
A worrying aspect of Monday’s attacks is eyewitnesses’ claims that they were instigated by local mosques and led by locals. Equally shocking is the brazenness of the repeated attacks on the security escort, which included military and paramilitary personnel. The incident should not be seen as just a spillover of the local conflict but as an example of local miscreants growing so emboldened that they are now willing to take on the Pakistani state itself.
It is imperative, therefore, for the state to take greater control of the situation. It must eliminate any challenges to its authority. A plan to clean up Kurram has made some progress, but spoilers are still taking advantage of chinks in the state’s armour. There should be zero tolerance henceforth for those violating the peace pact. The peace committee responsible for keeping the agreement must hand over all miscreants. The peace process should not be imperilled at any cost.
Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2025
THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN dataset on global migration patterns. It shows that the total number of migrants has nearly doubled from 1990, reaching 304m in 2024. While this appears substantial in absolute terms, migrants still constitute only 3.7pc of the global population, reflecting a modest increase from 2.9pc in 1990. For Pakistan, the data tells a different story. Historically, one of the largest hosts of displaced persons, the country has seen a marked decline in its international migrant stock. In 1990, Pakistan hosted 6.2m migrants, a figure that fell to 3.94m by 2010 and remains 4.18m in 2024. While international migrants made up 5.3pc of the population in 1990, this has now fallen to 1.7pc — a notable demographic shift. These figures are indicative of Pakistan’s diminishing role as a destination country, despite its strategic location.
The government’s decision to expel undocumented Afghans has altered migrant statistics. Many refugees now face precarious conditions, compounded by the suspension of resettlement programmes by Western nations. Additionally, Pakistan remains a significant source country for labour migration, with large numbers of its citizens heading to the Middle East, Europe, and North America for employment. Pakistan needs a balanced migration policy that addresses three key areas. First, it must modernise its border management and visa systems to better track and regulate cross-border movements while fulfilling humanitarian obligations. Second, the country should create incentives to attract skilled foreign workers through simplified procedures and clear pathways for professional integration. Third, systematic data collection on migration patterns is essential to inform policy decisions. Pakistan’s strategic location and large youth population position it uniquely to benefit from both sending workers abroad and receiving foreign talent. However, these advantages can only be realised through well-planned policies that turn migration challenges into opportunities for national development.
Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2025
Hollow words
IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. Indeed, Pakistani politicians appear to have mastered the art. But the current rulers do not realise that their words are fast losing their lustre because they repeat the same thing countless times. For example, first, they continually tried to reassure citizens that a few ‘friendly’ Gulf countries planned to invest $100bn in the country within five years. This, they claimed, would change the nation’s economic landscape. The number has since shrunk to a few billion dollars. Now they say that the World Bank’s promised $20bn investment under its new long-term Country Partnership Framework will address Pakistan’s troubles related to climate change, stunting, learning, and inclusive development. But while doing so, they hide the fact that the number is an ‘indicative’ one and hinges on the funds available with the lender over the plan’s 10-year life and, more crucially, the implementation of reforms that our elites continue to resist.
On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used his meeting with a visiting World Bank team to repeat for the umpteenth time that the yet-to-arrive inflow of ‘$40bn investment’ from the bank reflected confidence in his policies, and would open a ‘new chapter’ in various sectors. Clearly, he did not realise how hollow such routine political rhetoric sounds to the people; such words have lost their lustre for those struggling to survive. Any investment in areas critical to the development of human capital must be welcomed, given our enormous financial needs. But no such investment, no matter how big, can make the desired, sustained impact without social sector reforms. Can a nation make economic progress when four out of every 10 of its children suffer from stunting? Have policymakers wondered how much people without skills or education can contribute to economic productivity? Foreign loans and grants can do only so much. If the social sector is to be fixed, and a healthy, literate and skilled manpower developed, the government will have to restructure its policies. Unless it shifts its focus from brick-and-mortar projects to human development, no number of grants and loans can help the economy make impactful and sustainable headway, nor can the public’s trust be restored in politicians who promise the moon.
Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2025
Out of control
AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’ challenges to the state’s writ will be tolerated before a full-throttled response is launched.
Another spate of attacks on an aid convoy, which eyewitnesses said was instigated by locals, has threatened to undo the attempts to stabilise the region. Shortly after noon on Monday, the aid convoy, which was destined for Parachinar, came under attack in Lower Kurram. A firefight ensued, which continued for two hours, leaving a Pakistan Army soldier martyred and seven others injured.
A few hours later, there was an attempt to loot the stranded trucks, triggering another gunfight between the security escort and looters. Five Frontier Corps personnel were left injured. Finally, another couple of hours later, an FC Quick Response Force dispatched to rescue the injured was ambushed near a local government school. Four FC personnel were martyred in the attack.
Kurram District has for long posed an administrative headache for the authorities. It has attained notoriety as a hotbed for sectarian and ideologically driven violence. Citizens in geographically boxed-in locations like Parachinar live a miserable existence, caught up in sectarian violence between local tribes.
The militants who control their surrounding areas have placed it under siege, and their virulent hatred seems to make no exceptions, not even for the old and the ailing or for sick children. Besieged thus, Parachinar went for months without adequate food supplies, medicine or fuel late last year.
The aid convoys, which started after the government finally managed to enforce a ceasefire between the warring factions at the beginning of the year, are supposed to meet the urgent human needs of the citizens of Parachinar. Not even the fact that they are under the protection of the state has deterred local spoilers from targeting them, however.
A worrying aspect of Monday’s attacks is eyewitnesses’ claims that they were instigated by local mosques and led by locals. Equally shocking is the brazenness of the repeated attacks on the security escort, which included military and paramilitary personnel. The incident should not be seen as just a spillover of the local conflict but as an example of local miscreants growing so emboldened that they are now willing to take on the Pakistani state itself.
It is imperative, therefore, for the state to take greater control of the situation. It must eliminate any challenges to its authority. A plan to clean up Kurram has made some progress, but spoilers are still taking advantage of chinks in the state’s armour. There should be zero tolerance henceforth for those violating the peace pact. The peace committee responsible for keeping the agreement must hand over all miscreants. The peace process should not be imperilled at any cost.
Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2025