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Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Amid rivalry with India, it's time to focus on geo-economics
The writer is an Assistant Professor at DHA Suffa University, Karachi, and the Founding Chairperson of the Centre for Alternative Perspectives Listen to article The recent conflict between Pakistan and India has drawn global attention. The rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, both furnished with cutting-edge conventional and non-conventional military competences, have elevated serious apprehensions, especially given their combined share of a substantial portion of the world's population — 20.8 per cent. It is vital to highlight that such a war begins as a consequence of failure of diplomatic channels and multilateral efforts; erosion of meaningful negotiations; and inability of regional and international actors to mediate, combined with rising jingoism and hardened narratives. Pakistan and India are both members of regional organisations such as SCO and SAARC, which were established to encourage discourse, economic cooperation and regional stability. Though, in spite of their shared platforms, bilateral tensions have often overshadowed the potential of these forums. Both the UN and the Commonwealth have largely been unsuccessful in their role as neutral mediators, as their efforts remained limited to encouraging dialogue without applying any real pressure on India, the aggressor, to engage in meaningful conflict resolution. It is a fact that in high-stakes conflicts, the pure realist perspective often dominates where national interest, power and survival take preference over moral or ideological considerations. In such scenarios, the pursuit of state interests is not only expected but necessary. However, in Pakistan's case, where we face a significantly larger and more powerful adversary, it becomes even more critical to complement hard power with smart diplomacy. Multilateralism, regional cooperation and international alliances must be leveraged to safeguard our national interest. Pakistan responded to India's aggression after carefully assessing the reaction of the international community over the span of three days. It is crucial for Pakistan to convey to the world that it is not Ukraine or Palestine. No one, in their wildest imagination, can ever think of erasing Pakistan from the world map. Interestingly, Pakistan chose to respond a day before Mother's Day, a reminder that we know how to protect our motherland. However, now is the time to initiate dialogue. It is time to give multilateralism and diplomacy a real chance. Now is the time to address the Indus Water Treaty. For the first time, India has threatened to use water as a weapon, without fully realising that it is only a medium-upper riparian, while China is the true upper riparian, with the Brahmaputra originating from Tibet. China, as Pakistan's most trusted neighbour and brotherly country, should urge India to come to the negotiating table, discouraging any thoughts of using water as leverage or issuing threats related to water closure. It is now time for Pakistan to focus on geo-economics, especially given our status as an agro-based country where the majority of our industries are heavily dependent on agricultural yields. The stability of our agricultural sector directly impacts economic growth, employment and food security. As global trade dynamics shift and inter-state relations evolve, it is crucial for Pakistan to adopt a geo-economic strategy that enhances our agricultural productivity, ensures water security and fosters economic cooperation. Rice is one of the most water-intensive crops, particularly during the Kharif season (April to September). During FY24, Pakistan exported more than 6 million tons of different varieties of rice. If India were to reduce the flow of water from rivers like the Chenab or Jhelum, it could drastically affect Pakistan's rice production. Cotton is another key crop grown in the Kharif season, and it has high water needs during its growth stages, particularly from June to September. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, main commodities of exports during December 2024 were knitwear (Rs108,941 million), readymade garments (Rs99,330 million), bedwear (Rs71,252 million), cotton cloth (Rs41,388 million), cotton yarn (Rs17,456 million) and madeup articles (excluding towels and bedwear) (Rs16,404 million). A reduction in water supply could hurt cotton production, potentially impacting Pakistan's textile industry, which is one of its largest economic sectors. Sugarcane is highly dependent on consistent irrigation, and it is grown in the Kharif season. The crop requires significant water during its long growth period, especially in areas like Sindh and Punjab. A drop in water availability would affect sugarcane yields, leading to potential shortages of sugar and negatively impacting the sugar industry and related industries. Of the approximately 1.3 million tonnes of surplus sugar in the 2023-24 season, the government allowed 750,000 tonnes for export, while over 500,000 tonnes were carried forward into the 2024-25 season. Therefore, it is evident that the first and foremost issue that needs to be addressed is the IWT. It is crucial that this matter be resolved once and for all, ensuring long-term stability and equitable water distribution between Pakistan and India. A permanent resolution of the water dispute would not only benefit both nations' agricultural sectors but also pave the way for better diplomatic relations and regional cooperation. The IWT is a key factor in managing shared water resources, and resolving any issues related to it would have far-reaching benefits for both countries and the broader region. It is time to initiate negotiations with India through international mediators and relevant global institutions. This is the moment to engage on equal footing, asserting our national interests with clarity and strength. It is a question of our people's survival, our economic stability and the preservation of our sovereignty. Yet, we must also confront a deeper question: how long can we sustain repeated cycles of tension and conflict without investing in our own people? National security cannot be divorced from human development. Without prioritising education, healthcare, infrastructure and social cohesion, we risk weakening the very foundations of our state. Strategic strength is not only measured in weapons or alliances but in the well-being, productivity, and resilience of our population.
Express Tribune
18-03-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Womanhood: a unique trait bestowed by nature
The writer is an Assistant Professor at DHA Suffa University, Karachi and Founding chairperson of Center for Alternative Perspectives. She can be reached at paesthetics@ Listen to article Womanhood cannot be defined solely by achievements such as earning, exerting power over others, pursuing education, attaining high positions, achieving upward mobility, flying airplanes, serving in the military or becoming engineers, doctors, athletes, academicians or even presidents or prime ministers. If we believe that these accomplishments alone define the highest form of womanhood, we are mistaken. Womanhood is an honour, a grace, a responsibility and a beautiful blend of emotions, courage and sensitivity. It is the ultimate form of respect bestowed by nature. Womanhood is sacred and should not be measured in terms of money or power, nor should it be assessed through the lens of Western notions of liberty. It is a unique and innate trait that should be nurtured, not reduced to societal debates on acceptable levels of exposure. Moreover, it should not be judged by the extent to which brands and marketers exploit female models to sell male-oriented or other commercial products. Womanhood is fading, diminishing under the influence of capitalism. The voices that once defined womanhood in its true essence are growing silent. Womanhood is a sacred and precious gift, bestowed by nature - a gift that nurtures and cares for seeds until they blossom into flowers. These flowers spread a refreshing fragrance, adding colour and beauty to life, creating a world that embraces everyone. It is a world untroubled by enemies, understanding that just as there are delicate petals, there are also protective thorns - both gifts of nature, not to be feared but to be valued for their role in safeguarding what is precious. Womanhood, at its core, is about caring - caring for one another, for your male counterparts, for your parents and for the relationships that nurture you in return. Roles may evolve, as dictated by nature, but these changes are not meant to alter the essence of womanhood. They are not meant to demean the men around you. Womanhood and education are deeply intertwined, as education has long been a tool for women to assert their identity, independence and strength. Let's honour the pioneering women of South Asia who upheld true womanhood by empowering others through education. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain (1880-1932) founded the first school for Muslim girls in Kolkata, overcoming resistance to ensure women's access to knowledge. Savitribai Phule (1831-1897), India's first female teacher, fought for Dalit and marginalized women's education, creating inclusive learning spaces despite immense opposition. Sultan Jahan Begum (1858-1930) championed Muslim women's higher education, establishing Aligarh's Women's College and proving that education strengthens dignity and self-reliance. Thanks to the courage of pioneering women who broke barriers and championed education. Pakistani women have made remarkable contributions in the field of science and academia. Dr Nergis Mavalvala, an astrophysicist and Dean of Science at MIT, was instrumental in detecting gravitational waves. Dr Tasneem Zehra Husain, Pakistan's first female string theorist, researches high-energy physics and promotes women in STEM. Dr Fehmida Firdous, a space scientist at Suparco, advances satellite technology, while Dr Amina Zubair contributes to nuclear energy and mentors young physicists. Dr Shahida Hasnain, a microbiologist, won the L'Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award for her research on bacteria that clean heavy metal pollution. In higher education, Dr Nasira Khatoon became the first female acting VC of Karachi University, while Dr Bushra Mateen and Dr Farkhanda Manzoor led Lahore College for Women University (LCWU). Dr Shaista Tabassum, Dean Social Sciences (Karachi University) and mentor Center for Alternative Perspectives, served as acting VC of Karachi University and Dr Huma Baqai, Rector MITE, exemplify the role of women in academia, inspiring future generations. These women broke societal barriers, nurtured minds and empowered generations, proving that an educated woman is a torchbearer for her community.
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Logistics sector sees $36b losses on offline trade
Dawood said very few local SMEs are able to export products and countless issues continue to hinder their growth. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article Fostering sea-borne trade through digitalisation, experts and professionals in ports, shipping, and logistics have raised concerns that Pakistan's logistics industry faces annual losses of approximately $36 billion due to offline trade, which is also contributing to the loss of two to three million jobs in the sector. They shared these views during the 'Pakistan Logistics & Shipping Summit 2025: Navigating Global Trade Dynamics', organised by the Smart Entrepreneur Society (SES) at a local hotel on Thursday. They stressed that real-time solutions, including processing, tracking, and other digital facilities, are essential to tapping into growth opportunities and competing with the developed world. On top of that, they noted that while government processes have become nearly real-time, a significant gap remains, with approximately 70% of private sector activities, including those of freight forwarders and related service providers, still relying on outdated and manual methods. They highlighted various issues linked to foreign trade, pointing out that only 40% of imported containers return as exports from Pakistan, indicating a serious imbalance in trade. They stressed that technology and digitalisation are key to transforming Pakistan's cross-border trade, adding that the government has been supporting public-private partnerships to build trust and enhance the nation's trade efficiency. Discussing the integrated supply chain, DHA Suffa University Executive Director and Founding President of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) Pakistan Chapter, Professor Tahir Mahmood Chaudhry, said that an integrated supply chain can raise productivity and profitability by up to 70% and 90%, respectively. He cited global e-commerce giants Amazon and Alibaba as prime examples of digital success, reiterating that Pakistan cannot afford to lag. Enhanced infrastructure, government incentives, and a supportive regulatory framework also play a crucial role in revamping the country's logistics sector and making it internationally competitive. Asif Pervez, Founder and CEO of Galaxefi Solutions Private Limited, said that digitalisation supports transparency and eliminates tedious manual processes and poor governance. He praised initiatives such as Digital Pakistan, Uraan Pakistan, and Pakistan Single Window (PSW) for laying a solid foundation for modernisation. PSW, in particular, has digitised over 70 government agencies, streamlining customs, licensing, and regulatory processes that previously hindered trade operations. However, technological gaps, hesitation from Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and stakeholders in adopting digital solutions, and slow-paced support for digitisation are still preventing Pakistan from keeping pace with other developing countries. Pervez added that the private sector is ready and actively investing in state-of-the-art real-time systems. He said, "Systems like Galaxefi are not only ready to complement PSW's achievements but also provide the only true real-time, trustworthy solutions with full PSW support." Galaxefi's platform, which has been formally launched, focuses on cutting-edge integration capabilities and automating critical trade processes. With real-time tracking, automated documentation, and seamless integration with government systems, Galaxefi is expected to significantly boost Pakistan's export capacity, with projections suggesting an increase of up to 0.5 million TEUs by 2026. Amar Ahmed Mir, Domain Officer of PSW, stated that since PSW began operations in 2022, it has integrated various government entities and stakeholders into its system, while also linking the private sector to facilitate seamless public-private collaboration in foreign trade. He endorsed real-time systems as the solution for fully digitising international trade, stating that PSW has supported and will continue to support private organisations in introducing real-time facilities. Najeeb Agrawalla, CEO of 1Link, said that in a world where every nation is racing toward digital transformation, Pakistan must not be left behind. Enhanced infrastructure, government incentives, and a supportive regulatory environment can transform the country's 70% offline trade ecosystem into a dynamic, globally competitive digital economy. Smart Entrepreneur Society Founder and Chairman Mehtab Hussain Baloch said bringing all stakeholders under one roof to discuss the challenges is no easy task. He stressed that an integrated supply chain is a must.
