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Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ensuring economic, national security
It's unjust that honest industrialists and salaried professionals bear the brunt of taxation while large sectors – retailers, agriculture, real estate, wholesalers and service providers – escape their fair share. photo: file Listen to article We are all aware of the short-term economic relief: a 60-year low inflation rate, remittances nearing $4 billion in a month, a current account surplus of nearly $1 billion and global oil prices dropping sharply from the low $80s to the $60s per barrel. We're also anticipating almost certain inflows of $2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), including climate-linked funding, a sustainable increase in the tax-to-GDP ratio — though this disproportionately burdens the formal sector — and an astronomical rise in the KSE-100 index to 120,000 points. Interest rate cuts from the peak of 22% to 10% in the coming months are widely expected. But while these indicators paint a positive picture, the real work begins now. Geopolitical flashpoints demand economic readiness Pakistan is now facing two major challenges that demand a shift in economic thinking. First is the recurrence of India-Pakistan tensions – this being the third major flashpoint in a decade after Uri in 2016, Pulwama in 2019 and now Pulwama in 2025. This period has also seen triple economic dips – in 2019 (the IMF-led stabilisation), 2020 (Covid) and 2022-23 (political instability). While Pakistan's military strength is commendable, this last decade should have been used to strengthen our economic foundations through boosting the foreign exchange reserves, increasing exports and remittances, broadening the tax base, diversifying the economy into agriculture, minerals and IT and repaying external debts consistently. Water crisis and canal development – unity over provincialism The second challenge is domestic, which is the controversy around new canals and water distribution. India's threat to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, which underpins Pakistan's agriculture, food security and social stability, comes at a delicate time. The Green Pakistan initiative, spearheaded by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), seeks to build six new canals – a visionary step. However, it must be clearly communicated to the public and provinces as a national priority rather than a provincial competition. Zooming in on Pakistan through Google Earth reveals the stunning economic possibilities this land offers. From snow-covered mountains that feed rivers and tourism, to the fertile Indus plain that can feed hundreds of millions globally and onto the mineral-rich western belt of Balochistan, K-P and Sindh, Pakistan is a treasure trove. These areas are not just scenic; they are strategic, waiting to be tapped intelligently for national prosperity. The canal network planned near the Cholistan Desert is a low-hanging fruit. It can irrigate millions of acres, attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and serve as a testbed for experimental agricultural techniques that can later be scaled nationally. Similarly, regions between Multan, Sialkot and DI Khan and the eastern belt of Sindh beyond Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Pano Aqil and Khairpur, all present significant agricultural potential. By engaging global agricultural experts and deploying modern techniques, Pakistan can turn its deserts into breadbaskets. Pakistan's mineral resources are unparalleled: Thar coal, Reko Diq and the recent finds by National Resources Limited offer decades of energy security and export potential. Add to that our reserves of iron, copper, salt, limestone, rare earths, oil and gas. But exporting raw material is a missed opportunity. We need a robust exploration and value-addition policy to process and export finished products, just as Indonesia has done with palm oil and nickel. Economic equity: all provinces must win together The state must play a fatherly role by uniting provincial interests under the umbrella of national development. If Sindh fears water shortages due to canal construction, it should be assured of economic compensation through 25-50% revenue sharing from the Green Pakistan agricultural exports until the eight-million-acre-feet Bhasha Dam storage is completed. Balochistan and K-P, too, must benefit from mineral FDI, tax revenues, jobs and infrastructure, while the federal government focuses on reducing the external debt and easing the tax burden on the formal sector. It's unjust that honest industrialists and salaried professionals bear the brunt of taxation while large sectors – retailers, agriculture, real estate, wholesalers and service providers – escape their fair share. If Pakistan is to break its dependency on IMF programmes and endless bilateral rollovers, this imbalance must be addressed through consensus-based reform and enforcement. In a volatile region, national economic interest must override party or provincial lines. The next decade can only belong to Pakistan if unity and economic clarity guide our path. We must build consensus across the aisle, across provinces and across sectors to explore, dig, drill, irrigate and cultivate, just as the US did during its energy revolution. The slogan for our time should be "Prioritise Pakistan – now or never." The writer is an independent economic analyst
Express Tribune
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt set to energise farming sector
Listen to article Minister of State for National Food Security and Research Malik Rasheed Ahmed Khan visited the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) in Islamabad on Thursday. This visit provided an essential platform for discussions regarding the crucial role of Pakistan's agricultural sector in the national economy. During the visit, the Chairman of PARC and senior scientists from various technical divisions gave the Minister a comprehensive briefing on PARC's operations and its significant contributions through its outstations across the country. The briefing highlighted PARC's pivotal role in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security. In his remarks, the Minister strongly condemned India's recent attack on Pakistani territory. He reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to defending its sovereignty and declared that Pakistan will respond decisively to any Indian hostilities. He stated, "Pakistan's armed forces are fully prepared to defend our nation." The Minister's visit also underscored the importance of national food security. He highlighted the vital role that research and development play in strengthening Pakistan's agricultural sector. He reiterated, "In line with the Prime Minister's vision and the Green Pakistan initiative, our Ministry is fully committed to advancing the agricultural sector through robust research and innovation." He emphasised, "While the nation stands united in confronting this aggression, we must also remain focused on enhancing our agricultural infrastructure. PARC's work is essential to securing a stable and resilient food supply for our people."
Express Tribune
22-03-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
CM wants millions of saplings planted in spring
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that government is committed to eliminating pollution and providing a clean ecosystem to the coming generations. In her message on the International Day of Forests, she appealed to the people plant trees, "whether they expect to sit in its shade or not". "Children should plant trees in the name of their parents and teachers. The existence of forests is a lifeline for the environment, economy and citizens. Tree plantation is indispensable to coping with the effects of climate change. Plant trees and dispel the hazards of smog," she stated. She said 1.5 million saplings would be planted across the province during the spring plantation drive. Under the Chief Minister's 'Plant for Pakistan' campaign, 4.4 million saplings will be planted. Under the 'Green Pakistan' programme, more than 3.4 million saplings will be planted. More than 1.4 million saplings will be planted in agro-forests across the province. 5.5 million saplings have been provided to the health, education and other institutions for plantation. For the first time, trees will also be planted on uninhabited government land. Plantation will be carried out on 3,700 acres of land in Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh and Sargodha along the Indus River in addition to 1,500 acres in Ghazi Ghat and Muzaffargarh. Saplings will be planted on 444 acres of land in Sheikhupura and on the banks of River Ravi in Lahore. Plantation will also be done in areas adjacent to the Chenab River in Gujrat and on vacant land in Gujranwala, Changa Manga, Chichawatni, Attock, Jhang and Dera Ghazi Khan. She added that the 161-year-old Forest Department in Punjab is being equipped with information technology. GIS, remote sensing, high-resolution mapping and drone technology have been introduced. Satellite and drone technology will make it possible to identify changes in the forests in a timely manner. High-resolution 3D mapping of the forests of Murree and Changa Manga has been completed. The CM said, "Monitoring of encroachments in the forests and forest health monitoring will be possible with the help of drone technology. Thermal sensors will be used to protect forests and wildlife. A compartment-level forest mapping is being done to earmark the boundaries of forests. A mobile app has been launched for monitoring and inspection of field staff of the forest department."
Express Tribune
15-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Cholistan embarks on farming quest
LAHORE: The Green Agri Mall and Service Company, Smart Agri Farm, and Agri Research and Facilitation Centre were inaugurated under the Green Pakistan Initiative on Saturday at Kandai and Chapu in Cholistan as Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir attended the daylong activities. Addressing notables, farmers, stakeholders and martyrs' families, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz praised the launch of multifaceted projects and transformative initiatives under the Green Pakistan scheme. She underscored that agriculture is the lifeline of Pakistan. The chief minister handed over land allotment letters to the next of kin of martyrs and war injured. She lauded efforts under the Green Pakistan Initiative towards introducing contemporary best practices in Pakistan's agriculture sector. COAS General Asim Munir acknowledged the leading role of Punjab as the powerhouse of Pakistan's agriculture sector. He admired the endeavours made by Green Corporate initiative in achieving the milestones in a very short span of time. He said the army would continue its support for the economic development of the country. The Green Agri Mall and Service Company aims to serve as a one-stop solution for farmers, providing them high quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and fuel at controlled rates on doorsteps. The provision of rental farming machinery and implements, including drones, at the lowest possible charges would also facilitate the farmers. The establishment of a Smart Agri Farm on 5,000 acres with modern techniques along with a high-efficiency irrigation system would serve as a specimen for maximum crop yield at the lowest possible cost. The Agri Research and Facilitation Centre will provide all farming and technical input, including laboratory services. The center will maintain connectivity with research and academic partners in the country. The event was also attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Water Resources Dr Mussadiq Malik, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Minister for Irrigation Muhammad Kazim Pirzada and the federal and provincial secretaries concerned.
