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Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Operation Bunyanum Marsoos to operation economy
Listen to article The Operation Bunyan Marsoos (OBM) concluded with a decisive victory for Pakistan. The armed forces' zeal and unwavering commitment to protecting the motherland thwarted all attempts by adversaries (India and Israel). Pakistan has once again demonstrated its ability to be a formidable power, possessing both the will and the capacity to safeguard its sovereignty and interests. This reinforces the fact that in challenging times, Pakistan achieves remarkable feats, and Pakistanis are a steadfast and resilient nation. The Pakistani nation has demonstrated this repeatedly, from the 1965 war to the 2022 flood. Thus, no one should doubt the ability or resolve of the people and the State of Pakistan to defend its sovereignty and interests. However, the zeal and commitment were not without wisdom. It is apparent from the decision-making, observance of merit, appointment of the right person for the right job, and establishment of the chain of command. for example, the army, air force, and navy are always led by professional and brilliant soldiers from their respective fields. it never happened that a navy sailor led the air force. the observance of merit and commitment to the right person for the right job has turned the armed forces into a formidable power and contributed to remarkable achievements. Pakistan needs to carry the same mentality, policy, strategy, and commitment to turn around the economy. Firstly, apply the policy of the right person for the right job. In pursuance of this policy, Pakistan needs to entrust economic planning and management to economic professionals with brains. They are trained to formulate and oversee economic strategies. A bird's-eye view of global economic institutions, as well as national ministries and departments, clearly indicates that economists lead the charge in driving economic progress. Unfortunately, in the case of Pakistan, the situation is quite different. Economists are often sidelined, while those outside of the field frequently manage economic affairs. The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) serves as a prime example in this regard. SIFC is an excellent and timely initiative; it was much needed. However, its execution falls short. Policymakers have overlooked the importance of selecting the right people for the right jobs. SIFC has been staffed with bureaucrats and military personnel who possess little or no understanding of the economy or its dynamics. Consequently, after more than two years, aside from a few projects, SIFC has struggled to deliver on its perceived objectives. The finance ministry offers another prominent example. It is often led by chartered accountants and bankers who are not trained to plan or manage the economy. Second, indigenous wisdom and local experts, who are working within the system, should lead the development of economic policies and plans. They may not be good at speaking English or giving fancy presentations, but they know the economy better than anyone else. They have devoted their lives to understanding and operating the economic system during its most challenging times. They are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of Pakistan's economic system. Unfortunately, the Pakistani elite do not like them and discourage them. The elite enjoy listening to fancy presentations and fluent English and are impressed by international organisations' tags, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Thus, they love to import expats and consultants. The expats and imported consultants do not fully understand the ground realities, weaknesses, and strengths of Pakistan's economic system. They only give fancy slogans or do marketing for foreign companies. They are selling false dreams of entering the tertiary economy by bypassing the secondary economy, which is not possible. Unfortunately, our elite is happy with such slogans. Third, before devising any policy or plan, policymakers and planners must have a strong understanding of the ground realities. It must be a prerequisite for policy development. For example, these days, every expat and imported consultant is talking about technology and urging Pakistan to venture into it and make it a leading area of work. There is no second opinion that Pakistan must venture into the technology field; however, it should have a place on the priority list, given its role in the economy and Pakistan's economic status. There is no harm in dreaming big, but we must also remember that the execution of policies and plans is done based on ground realities, not fancy slogans. The ground realities indicate that Pakistan is not a major producer of technology, especially as it lags in the production of hardware such as machines, laptops, satellites, or mobile phones. Pakistan is only a consumer of the technology, and expats and consultants advise them to buy technology from global companies. Furthermore, the analysis of ground realities suggests that, at present, the strength of our economy is based on agriculture, minerals, livestock, tourism, and defence products, among others. Thus, we need to focus on modernising agriculture, developing an agricultural and livestock value chain, and building markets for defence products. Simultaneously, Pakistan needs to work towards transitioning to a secondary economy by fast-tracking industrialisation. The transition will also give an impetus to technology development. Unfortunately, we are not doing it. We are blindly running after the fancy slogans raised by expats or imported consultants. Thus, if Pakistan wants to grow, Pakistan needs to change. If Pakistan successfully changes, then Pakistan can turn around its economy. Fortunately, we have an excellent opportunity to do so through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC has all the ingredients that can help Pakistan revive its economy and pave the way for sustainable development. Following the successful completion of the first phase, CPEC has now entered its second phase. The long-term document of CPEC shows that industrialisation and agricultural cooperation would be driving forces during the second phase. Moreover, Pakistan and China have strengthened their science and technology cooperation to create and enhance Pakistan's technological base. These three areas of collaboration can fast-track the transition to the secondary economy and pave the way for the tertiary economy. However, to fully benefit from the CPEC and leverage our strengths, Pakistan must address the areas discussed above. Let's try to understand the importance of these areas or required interventions through an example. For instance, consider a scenario: can Pakistan appoint a skilled doctor to the post of air chief marshal instead of a professional soldier from the Pakistan Air Force? If Pakistan had appointed an engineer as air chief marshal, what would have been the status of Pakistan in the recent war? During the recent conflict, the air force was led by a career soldier who dedicated his life to the Pakistan Air Force. Now, imagine another scenario: was it appropriate to hire a foreign consultant, such as someone from the American Air Force, to lead the Pakistani Air Force by arguing that he leads the most advanced and largest air force in the world? No, not at all, because he does not understand the Pakistani Air Force and lacks the passion to serve the country. The same is true for the economy. In conclusion, based on the above discussion and examples, three suggestions can be listed: hiring the right person for the right job, stopping the import of expats and consultants, and making decisions based on ground realities. THE WRITER IS A POLITICAL ECONOMIST AND A VISITING RESEARCH FELLOW AT HEBEI UNIVERSITY, CHINA
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
YMP's winning run continues in Gisborne Premier club rugby despite second-half struggle
Despite not scoring in the second spell, YMP banked the maximum five points and head the table on 30, followed by Tapuae (24), OBM (15), HSOB (12), Ngatapa (11) and Pirates (0). YMP dominated possession and field position in the first half, during which No 8 Niko Lauti got across for two tries after tighthead prop Nehe Papuni scored the opening try from a lineout drive in the fourth minute. OBM's cause suffered a significant blow when they lost centre Ale Paulo in the 19th minute. His yellow card was upgraded to a dismissal for an exchange of views with referee Ben Holt. Openside flanker Te Peehi Fairlie, who was used to great effect at the lineout, scored YMP's fifth and what turned out to be final try just before halftime. YMP were in favourable positions on more than five occasions, but zeal and OBM's scrambling defence denied them. The game was hard-fought as OBM tightened their belts defensively. Skudder was yellow-carded in the 52nd minute and both teams lost personnel to the blood bin. Burly lock Khian Westrupp, YMP's Taste One Most Valuable Player for the second week in a row, blindside flanker Jess Kapene and left-wing Nashwen Mouton were a force of nature with ball in hand. Mouton, winger Quaydon Chaffey-Kora and reserve fullback Taimana Teneti showed flair and made breaks. First five Mitchell Purvis was in sublime form with the boot, converting every YMP try from both sidelines and centre-field. OBM left wing Josaia Bosaka once again proved tough to pin down while halfback Atunaisa Rokotuiwei and blindside flanker-cum-lock Ratu Asivuriusi Nairoroi (OBM's MVP) came up with crucial tackles. OBM's regular captain Jordan Kingi said that, while they had to work hard to get out of their own territory early on, the front row of Ratu Nairoroi (son of Ratu Asivuriusi Nairoroi), Lance Dickson and Levi Soto were key in a solid forward showing at the scrum. Teneti, 20, joined YMP after two years at Otago Rugby Academy and is thriving. 'YMP has an awesome team environment,' he said. 'Older guys take good care of our younger players, make us feel welcome, and Shayde and Will [Brown, coach] are amazing leaders. 'They show us the standard and level we all need to reach every game in order for us to achieve what we want ... to win the championship.' Tapuae vs HSOB There is no more dangerous team than the Taniwha. Wairoa-based Kahu Scaffolding Tapuae proved that in a 48-15 win against Earthwork Solutions High School Old Boys. Tapuae scored eight tries to two on their home Tapuae Sports Ground. Right wing Riko Tupou and fullback Kyoni Te Amo each scored hat-tricks, and hooker Sekove Serau and reserve second-five Zane Douglas one try apiece. Player-coach Paoraian Manuel-Harman kicked four conversions. HSOB fullback Matt Proffit landed a first-half penalty and scored a second-half try, which he converted. Loosehead prop Franco Ludwig got the Blue and Whites' other try. Tapuae led 17-3 at the break. Tapuae were happy to get round 2 off to a winning start after a two-week break. They were beaten 28-12 by competition leaders YMP two weeks ago and won by default over Kevin Hollis Glass Tūranga Pirates a week later. 'Our guys bounced back,' Manuel-Harman said. 'Nothing changed in our tactics or approach. We just ramped it up.' HSOB head coach Wayne Ensor said their basic skills 'were sorely tested early on but we fought back'. 'We actually had the upper hand by halftime. In the second half, though, Tapuae were far too good for us.' Ngatapa vs Pirates Happy but more consistency needed - that was the verdict of Larsawn Ngatapa head coach Sione Ngatu after their 39-17 win over Pirates. Patutahi's finest outgunned the Buccaneers by seven tries to two at Paddy's Park for their second win of the season. Ngatapa led 17-10 at halftime in front of a crowd of 400. Right wing and Ngatapa's MVP on the day, Joeli Ragoneliwa, scored two fine tries. Led by loosehead prop Jesse Sweeney, Pirates cut the line for quality tries to second five-eighths Jackson Gray and promising fullback Avia Ropati, who converted both and kicked a penalty goal. Pirates' MVP was reserve hooker Moeakiola Pole, while tighthead prop Leon Stevenson, lock Ngāmetua Cummings and halfback Atapana Vili Sua impressed on debut. 'Our set-piece play was good - and we're happy with the win - but we need to be more consistent,' said Ngatu, whose captain and lock Jack Twigley was at the heart of the Green and Whites' effort. Sweeney said he was proud of the way they kept their composure against a Ngatapa team who were 'always tough'. 'Moeakiola, Avia and second-row forward Kiri Latu were good value. They're experienced and help the new guys to become quick learners and adjust to our style of play.' Club rugby draws for Saturday Te Pae Hākari Poverty Bay men's competitions, week 7 Premier Grade, all games at 2.45pm: Oval No 1, Enterprise Cars OBM vs Larsawn Ngatapa (referee Keelyn Smith, assistant refs Matt Smith, Tom Watson); Tapuae Sports Ground No 1, Kahu Scaffolding Tapuae vs East Coast Farm Vets YMP (Lenny Ferris; ARs Paul Brown, Neville Barwick); Oval No 2, Earthwork Solutions High School Old Boys vs Kevin Hollis Glass Tūranga Pirates (Ben Holt; ARs Les Thomas, Terry Reeves). Senior 1, all games at 1pm: Bayley's Athletic Park, Wairoa, Charteris Choppers Wairoa Athletic vs Harvest Transport Matawhero Ngatapa (non-competition match, referee Paul Brown); Barry Park 1, Tamatea R & M YMP Bumbles vs Nuhaka V8s (Thomas Nukunuku); Oval No 2, Earthwork Solutions HSOB vs Mahia RFC (Les Thomas). Heke-o-Te-Rangi Blackbee Contractors Ngati Porou East Coast men's competition, week 3 All games at 2pm: Kahuitara, Whareponga, Hikurangi vs Ūawa (referee Whetu Haerewa); George Nepia Memorial Park, Rangitukia, Waiapu vs Waima (Peter Crawford); Hatea-a-rangi Memorial Domain, Tokomaru Bay, Tokomaru Bay United vs Tokararangi (Matt Richards); Te Kura Kaupapa Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa, Cape Runaway, Tihirau Victory Club vs Ruatōria City (Rebecca Matheson). Enterprise Cars NPEC wāhine competition, week 3 All games at 11.30am: Te Kura Kaupapa Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa, Cape Runaway, Tihirau Victory Club vs Ruatōria City (referee Sean Murtagh); George Nepia Memorial Park, Rangitukia, Waiapu vs Tokararangi (Peter Crawford). Bye: Hikurangi Mountain Maidens.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
YMP seal Premier Cup first-round honours in Poverty Bay club rugby
YMP's win owed as much to patience and composure as their physicality and flair. No 8 Niko Lauti led by example, but it took 27 minutes for the black and whites to post their first points – right winger Nashwen Mouton scoring in a scramble to the ball after it was kicked down the ground from a scrum. Powerhouse openside flanker Te Peehi Fairlie went over from a penalty tap-kick-and-go in the 32nd minute, and blindside flanker Jesse Kapene hulked down the left touchline to score in the corner as halftime beckoned. First-five Kayleb Te Whare converted to give YMP a 17-0 lead at the break. Ngatapa hit back nine minutes after the resumption when left wing Joeli Ragoneliwa finished strongly, and reserve first five Rian Norton converted for 17-7. With a quarter of an hour to play, YMP again tapped and went from a penalty given by referee Lenny Ferris 12m out and centre Iziah Fox dotted down in the left corner. The final say went to YMP reserve lock Siope Piukana in the 77th minute, thanks to a magic short pass from former Ngatapa man and second five Anthony Karauria. OBM's mission was to retain the Peter Martin Cup, played for between themselves and HSOB, but equally important was producing rugby worthy of the legendary Dickson's 150th appearance. The tone was set quickly for fast rugby, and OBM's Most Valuable Player on the day, left winger Josaia Bosaka, reaped the benefits with a four-try haul. Bosaka dotted down in the corner to open the scoring after nine minutes, and five minutes later, halfback Atunaisa Rokotuiwei made a sniping run from the base of the scrum to score under the crossbar. First five Tawhiri Walsh converted for 12-0. Two minutes after that, Bosaka crossed for his second, and Walsh's conversion made it 19-0. HSOB got on the board in the 38th minute with a try to second rower Viliami Kavai, converted by fullback Matt Proffit, and on the stroke of halftime, left winger Te-Reimana Gray scored in the corner for 19-12. OBM got back on track with a penalty kick from centre Austin Brown on the hour mark. Bosaka completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute and got his fourth on fulltime. The 20-point deficit did not tell the story of how evenly matched the teams were across the park. Referee Ben Holt was called on to make several tight calls, including two hair's-breadth forward passes against HSOB in the second half. HSOB won the lineout count 17-8, OBM the scrums 9-4, and they shared penalties 15 apiece. 'Our boys' effort was outstanding,' OBM head coach Kahu Falaoa said. 'Our tactics didn't differ, but the key word for us in the last fortnight has been attitude. The boys all did their jobs [but] we still have improvements to make in terms of our discipline.' HSOB head coach Wayne Ensor said his team started far too slowly and had to play catch-up rugby, which led to uncharacteristic errors. Round 2 kicks off on Saturday with Ngatapa hosting Pirates, Tapuae and HSOB meeting on Tapuae turf and YMP taking on OBM at Barry Park – all games at 2.45pm. Rugby draw for Saturday Interschool, Rectory, 9.30am: No 1, Gisborne Boys' High School Second XV v Hastings BHS Akina (ref Les Thomas); No 2, GBHS Under-15s v Hastings BHS Akina (ref Tony Watson). Te Pae Hākari Poverty Bay senior men's rugby, week 6, Premier grade, all games at 2.45pm: Paddy's Park, Patutahi, Larsawn Ngatapa v Kevin Hollis Glass Tūranga Pirates (ref Matt Smith, assistants Thomas Nukunuku, Hona Huriwai); Tapuae, Kahu Scaffolding Tapuae v Earthwork Solutions HSOB (ref Keelyn Smith, assistants Ruan Ludwig, Neville Barwick); Barry Park No 2, East Coast Farm Vets YMP v Enterprise Cars OBM (ref Ben Holt, assistants Sonny Whaitiri, Jimmy Green). Senior 1, all games at 1pm: Paddy's Park, Patutahi, Harvest Transport Matawhero Ngatapa v Earthwork Solutions HSOB (ref Thomas Nukunuku); Kaiuku, Ōkūrārenga, Mahia RFC v Tamatea R & M YMP Bumbles (ref Michael Pickering); Nūhaka Domain, Nuhaka V8s v Charteris Choppers Wairoa Athletic (ref Lenny Ferris).
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
OBM club rugby stalwart to play 150th game in Poverty Bay Premier competition
When he joined the OBM 'Red, White and Blue', Dickson was primarily a loosehead prop, but he learned to play on both sides of the scrum and also at hooker. In the past 13 years, he's appeared alongside some of OBM's great ones. 'I was fortunate to play with a few characters, legends really, when I started off ... Murray Hewson, Robert Tata, Sam Cairns, Trevor Crosby, David Philander, Dennis Hune, Matthew (Mufty) Brown, Puna Latu, Thomas Soloman and Keith Henderson, all OBM.' The 'scariest' he faced was Tom Miki, who started with Pirates before becoming an OBM man. 'He schooled me on my debut v Pirates. Joe Aukuso of HSOB – who debuted for Poverty Bay the year before I debuted in the Prems – was a gentle giant off the field, but he had great technique and was a handful on it.' Campbell Chrisp, of Ngatapa, and James Higgins, who was with Ngatapa before he went to YMP, were also great scrummagers, Dickson said. 'Seymour Lambert (YMP) was incredibly strong, Toru Noanoa (Waikohu) was super-aggressive and Jarryd Broughton (Waikohu), was massive and presented me with different issues, as I was much shorter. 'All of them were hard in different ways, but I just turn up, train hard, give my time to the club and hope others do the same.' Dickson said his playing highlights included winning the Lee Bros Shield in 2019 by a record 65-5 score versus YMP 'and winning our club's Most Valuable Player Award last year, almost 10 years after I first won it in 2016″. 'I love the people and the brotherhood the most – the connections you make with teammates.' Dickson played his 100th game for the club in August 2020. Week 5 of the Premier competition brings an end to round 1. East Coast Farm Vets YMP have one hand on the Premier Cup for round 1 winners heading into their clash with Larsawn Ngatapa at Patutahi. YMP, after their 28-12 win over reigning champions Kahu Scaffolding Tapuae last week, are top of the table on the maximum 20 points, Tapuae have 15, HSOB 11, OBM 10, Ngatapa 6 and Kevin Hollis Glass Pirates 0. Tapuae are at home to a Pirates side looking for their first points while OBM and HSOB face off at the Oval for the Peter Martin Cup. Poverty Bay senior club rugby draw, week 5 Premier Grade, Saturday, 2.45pm: Oval 2, Earthwork Solutions High School Old Boys v Enterprise Cars OBM (referee Matt Smith, assistants Les Thomas, Tony Watson); Patutahi, Larsawn Ngatapa v East Coast Farm Vets YMP (Lenny Ferris, assistants Joel Pearse, Barry Shirley); Tapuae Sports Ground, Kahu Scaffolding Tapuae v Kevin Hollis Glass Tūranga Pirates (Ben Holt, assistants Paul Brown, Neville Barwick). Senior 1 Grade, 1pm: Oval 2, Earthwork Solutions High School Old Boys v Charteris Choppers Wairoa-Athletic (ref Keelyn Smith); Patutahi, Matawhero Transport Harvest Ngatapa v Mahia (Michael Pickering); Oval 1, Kevin Hollis Glass Tūranga Pirates v Nuhaka V8s (Thomas Nukunuku). Bye: Tamatea R & M YMP Bumbles. Heke-o-Te-Rangi Blackbee Contractors Ngati Porou East Coast men's club competition, week 1 Saturday, 2pm: Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Whangaparaoa, Cape Runaway, Tihirau Victory Club v Waiapu (ref Jackson Reuben-Swinton); Enterprise Cars Whakarua Park, Ruatōria, Ruatōria City v Hikurangi (Joseph Coleman); Uawa Domain, Tolaga Bay, Uawa v Tokomaru Bay United (Matthew Richards); Hatearangi Memorial Domain, Tokomaru Bay, Waima v Tokararangi (Peter Crawford). Enterprise Cars Ngati Porou East Coast women's club competition, week 1 Saturday, 10.30am: Te Kura Kaupapa Mana Maori o Whangaparaoa, Cape Runaway, Tihirau Victory Club v Waiapu (ref Jackson Reuben-Swinton). 11.30am: Enterprise Cars Whakarua Park, Ruatōria, Ruatōria City v Hikurangi (Sean Murtagh). Bye: Tokararangi.
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
YMP win battle of the big boys in Poverty Bay Premier club rugby
Openside flanker Keanu Taumata and centre Ethine Reeves dotted down for Tapuae. Player-coach and fullback Paoraian Manuel-Harman converted Reeves' second-half effort. YMP led 14-5 at the break. YMP are now the only unbeaten team in the Premier competition and their eyes are fixed on the Premier Cup as round 1 winners. They can seal that in the last game against Ngatapa on Saturday. 'Been through the mill' and 'been in the wars' are wonderful old-fashioned expressions. And they apply equally to the clash between Larsawn Ngatapa and Enterprise Cars OBM at Paddy's Park, Patutahi, Under halfback Braedyn Grant, OBM scored two tries to beat their hosts 15-3 and retain the Carl McFarlane Memorial Trophy. It was a rough, tough match during which referee Joel Pearse red-carded a man from each side. Ngatapa opened the scoring with a penalty goal from first-five Tim Haldane in the eighth minute. OBM scored the first try in the 10th minute - a typically hard-nosed effort from close range by hooker Lance Terekia, converted by first-five Tawhiri Walsh to give his side a 7-3 halftime lead. OBM right-wing Inosa Qativi junior scored in the 50th minute for 12-3, and in the 76th minute, Walsh landed a 23m penalty to seal the win. Legendary 200 games-plus Ngatapa strongman now club head coach Sione Ngatu complimented the visitors on their tenacity. 'It was a good battle up front, very physical, and we started better on Saturday than in our last three games,' Ngatu said. 'We didn't take our opportunities to score on Saturday, but credit to OBM, they took theirs.' 'Having our senior players there to hype everyone up was important,' Grant said. 'Everyone was on board and dug really deep. We made our first-up tackles, then got back up, went again, and that helped to keep us in a dominant position. 'Along with all of that hard work, we showed a lot of heart to keep Ngatapa tryless.' The latest generation of Blue and White and Buccaneers followers have stuck with them through highs and lows. And though 54 points separated Earthwork Solutions High School Old Boys and Kevin Hollis Glass Tūranga Pirates on Saturday, keenness for the derby at the Oval was undiminished. HSOB ran in nine tries and were awarded a penalty try by referee Paul Brown in a 62-8 win. Left-wing Te-Reimana Gray, with a hat-trick, and fullback Matthew Proffit, a double, were the stars of the show. Loosehead prop Franco Ludwig, first five Cohen Loffler, reserve left wing Puhi Tau and openside flanker Ryan Jones also got on the try list. Proffitt (3) and wingers Gray and Bryan Howard kicked conversions for HSOB, who were 19-8 up at the break. HSOB head coach Wayne Ensor was a happy man. 'Our boys all get along well, many are fitter than they'd been in recent years and across the board we're also more experienced than we have been, with a mix of power and pace,' he said. 'On Saturday, the backs were really good, in particular Matt and Te-Reimana, and we scored some great tries. More than that, we stuck to our plan.' Pirates, led by first five Henry Kepa, played solid rugby in the first half and showed heart and tenacity. They had their moments. Vice-captain lock Patriah Kaliopasi put massive lock Nelson Moran down with a good tackle; left wing Saone Fafita made a startling break moments later; a weaving run by centre Taeaoalili Afasene resulted in a penalty which fullback Avia Ropati kicked from 35 metres to put the Buccaneers in front 3-0; and their sole try was scored by winger Soane Fifita. 'We played with more composure today, especially in the first half, but in the second half we moved away from our structure and got frustrated,' Pirates head coach Anthony Kiwara said. 'For 60 minutes, we played well. Part of the job for us now is just to bring our penalty count down.'
