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Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Strategic crisis management
The writer is former Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Karachi and can be reached at amoonis@ Listen to article When survival of a country or an organisation is at stake, strategies to deal with a crisis situation are adopted. Composed of strategic planning and strategic thinking, those trying to manage a crisis must possess required skills to deal with a situation of critical nature in a strategic manner. According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, strategy means, "the science and art of employing the political, economic, psychological, and military forces of a nation or group of nations to afford the maximum support to adopted policies in peace or war." Strategic crisis management is an innovative term and a concept which aims to professionally deal with a dangerous situation skillfully. According to AI overview, "Strategic crisis management is a proactive and integrated approach to preparing for, responding to, and recovering from crises. It involves embedding crisis management into an organization's overall strategic planning process, rather than treating it as an isolated function. This approach focuses on minimizing the impact of crises by anticipating potential threats, developing comprehensive response strategies, and fostering effective communication and collaboration." Crises in Gaza, Ukraine and Iran-Israel as well as the US-Iran relations and the Indo-Pak relations, apart from global economic problems, require strategy for their effective management. Likewise, economic crisis, political schism, water crisis and environmental crisis requires proper management skills with strategic foresight and vision. According to Everbridge, "Crisis management is an organization's process and strategy-based approach for identifying and responding to a critical event. A critical event can be defined as any threat, unanticipated incident, or negative disruption with the potential to impact an organization's people, property, or business processes. Being prepared to respond to and recover from a critical event requires a sophisticated crisis management plan. Prioritizing crisis management also helps organizations mitigate the secondary consequences of critical events. Establishing a plan can help organizations move from a position of reactivity to proactively safeguarding against all the effects a critical event can have on an organization." The concept of strategic crisis management can only be understood and applied in a society which is educated and enlightened and possess analytical skills and critical thinking. When concepts like strategy, crisis and management are rooted in the mindset of people, one can expect a country to deal with issues that pose threat to its survival. For example, economic predicament of Pakistan is a perennial issue. If Pakistan is economically fragile, it will have its impact on politics, governance and foreign policy. Had there been a focus on the part of Pakistan's leadership on seeking excellence in strategic crisis management, the country would have been on the list of 20 top economies of the world. But, the reality on the ground is different because Pakistan's internal and external debt burden is around 250 billion dollars; its foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank amount to 15 billion dollars, exports are 30 billion dollars annually, per capita income is 1,700 dollars, GDP is 373 billion dollars, income from tourism is less than one billion dollars a year and remittances are worth 32 billion dollars annually. Most of the state institutions like PIA and Steel Mill possess a debt of 200 billion rupees. There is a direct link between economy and politics. As long as Pakistan is under political crisis, it will negatively impact its economy, governance, rule of law and foreign policy. The dearth of strategic thinkers and crisis managers in Pakistan mitigates hope to transform it as a vibrant state. In FY2025-26 Pakistan needs to return more than 22 billion dollars of foreign debt which will put enormous pressure on its economy. Strategic crisis management requires the leadership to have the qualities of hard work, intelligence, integrity, commitment, planning, management and vision. This also requires reversing the culture of corruption and nepotism. Strategic crisis management needs to be examined and analysed from three angles. First, the need to have a critical mass emerging from educational institutions having knowledge of strategy and crisis management is essential. Training, advocacy and best practices in a society also contribute towards training people capable of understanding and managing a crisis. Pakistan's dilemma is that its elites are devoid of commitment and professional expertise in strategy and crisis management. Those controlling the instruments of power formulate policies on an ad hoc basis without learning lessons from past mistakes. They also lack the commitment to learn from successful models of crisis decision-making i.e. how leadership in such countries is able to focus on right kind of strategy and apply it to manage a crisis. For instance, G7 that is composed of the world's most industrialised and affluent countries meet every year to assess strategy to meet challenges and crises and conduct brainstorming for effective decision-making in order to maintain their edge in global order. Likewise, every year, there is Munich security dialogue primarily consisting of Western powers to formulate a strategy to deal with threats and manage security crisis. The relative success of G-7 and China in dealing with crises is by pursuing a policy of strategic statesmanship. Second, when in 1971 Pakistan was facing a grave crisis threatening its very survival and its eastern wing was facing a civil war, elites governing power were oblivious of the situation and their strategy lacked foresight, statesmanship and vision. When the country was being dismembered, its rulers behaved in an irresponsible manner. Had a proper strategy been pursued by the Martial Law regime of General Yahya Khan and West Pakistan political parties by summoning the National Assembly in Dhaka on March 3, 1971 and a military operation had not been launched to deal with the political crisis, the country would have been saved. The 1977 crisis, which plunged Pakistan in violence and disorder could have been averted had the general elections been transparent and the then Prime Minister ZA Bhutto and the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) had prioritised the interests of the country rather than their own political objectives. The country could have been saved from what turned out to be longest spell of martial law in the country. Pakistan lacked strategic crisis management to deal with the 1977 crisis. Finally, the role of policy-oriented think tanks and academia is pivotal in inculcating the concept of strategic crisis management at the institutional and individual level. When a critical mass is created to deal with a crisis situation in a strategic manner, one can expect its proper management. This critical mass so far is lacking in Pakistan.
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Pashtun Attire & Weapons: Why Karachi University Students' Performance Sparked Outrage
Top intelligence sources said: 'The use of traditional cultural symbols as props for a mock terrorist show highlights the state's view of an entire ethnic group." A recent seminar at the University of Karachi, where participants dressed in traditional Pashtun attire and carried weapons in a stage performance, thus inaccurately portraying them as terrorists, has led to outrage across Pakistan's academic and civil society circles. The display, deemed culturally insensitive, reinforced long-standing state propaganda by associating Pashtun identity with extremism. Top intelligence sources criticised the University of Karachi for promoting dangerous views under the guise of national security narratives. 'The use of traditional cultural symbols as props for a mock terrorist show highlights the state's view of an entire ethnic group, especially at a time when Pashtuns face ongoing discrimination and suspicion," they said. This event has not only undermined the credibility of a major educational institution but also demonstrates how educational institutions in Pakistan are being utilised for ideological conflicts, they added. Universities in Pakistan are becoming breeding grounds for radicalisation, with campaigns indirectly encouraging students to adopt extremist state-sponsored ideologies, said sources. News18 had earlier reported how the historical resentment over the merger fuelled has political instability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for decades. Today, several separatist and militant movements continue to challenge the Pakistani government's control over the region. Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) emerged as a significant non-violent movement advocating for the rights of Pashtuns. The PTM accused the Pakistani military and government of treating Pashtuns as second-class citizens and called for the formation of a 'Greater Pashtunistan' by uniting Pashtun territories in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the largest Islamic militant group in Pakistan, remains highly active in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the adjoining tribal areas. The TTP seeks to overthrow the Pakistani government and establish Sharia law. The group intensified its attacks on military and government targets, especially after the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Baloch separatist groups have also found common ground with Pashtun rebels, forming alliances to resist Pakistani military operations. The longstanding grievances of both the Baloch and Pashtun communities reflect the broader discontent that stems from the political decisions made at the time of Partition. With Agency Inputs view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Economist presents research book to Japanese envoy
KARACHI: Renowned economist and academic Professor Dr. Abdul Waheed, presented his latest edition of the book 'Quantitative Research Methods: A Practical Approach' to Japan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Shoichi Akamatsu, and the Consul General of Japan in Karachi, Mr. Hattori Masaru, during a recent visit to the Japanese Consulate here. Invited on special invitation, Dr. Waheed discussed academic and research collaborations during the meeting and shared copies of his book, which offers a comprehensive guide to research methodologies and quantitative techniques. Aimed at students of BS, MPhil, and PhD levels, the book's second edition—published in 2025—features enhanced learning tools such as datasets, discussion questions, self-assessment tests, and PowerPoint slides to support research training. Professor Dr. Abdul Waheed currently serves as the Chairman of the Department of Economics at the University of Karachi. He is widely recognized for his expertise in quantitative development analysis, particularly in addressing economic challenges in South Asia. A recipient of the Japanese government scholarship, Dr. Waheed earned his PhD from Nagoya University in 2005. His doctoral and postdoctoral research in Japan focused on macroeconomic modeling and debt reduction strategies for Pakistan. Notably, he developed Pakistan's Financial Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) under a prestigious JSPS fellowship. In 2007, he was invited by the South Korean government to present this research internationally. With over three decades of academic and research experience, Dr. Abdul Waheed continues to contribute significantly to the field of economics and research education in Pakistan and beyond. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
20-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Rooted in dreams & the dust
By HAZARAN RAHIM DAD | Hazaran Rahim Dad is a feature writer who holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Karachi All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the writer facebook twitter whatsup linkded email I find stories in everything and everywhere, because I believe stories are living things. Growing up in Balochistan, I've always felt that the land itself is alive. The mountains, the waterfalls, the canals, and the endless ocean — they breathe and whisper. The people who dwell here — how they live, how they struggle, how they endure — carry stories inside them like blood in their veins. A fisherman battles the mighty winds of the sea, returning with just enough fish to keep his modest kitchen running. A shepherd walks under the scorching July sun, guiding his flock while singing a mournful serenade. A woman bends over a field, working alongside her husband, her voice rising in a sorrowful elegy. A Zamyad driver risks his life on treacherous mountain roads, dreaming of returning with enough to sustain his family. And then there are the pregnant women in remote areas, losing their lives on roadless paths, never making it to the city in time. There are weary mothers waiting for sons who might never come back. Everyday life here is made of stories — sometimes lost, but never faded, never forgotten. They always remind me that stories are alive. And that's how, on a balmy evening in Kech, as the heat began to settle and the horizon glowed, I found myself before a sunset. The palm trees swayed gently as the sky burst into shades of orange. With a cup of chai in my hand, I watched Kuhaani Niyaama, a travel documentary by Kamalan Bebagar, who is a Balochistan-based filmmaker and cinematographer. This 32-minute documentary is rooted in a specific geography. It's set in Niwaano, a small village in Zaamuran, district Kech — nestled between mountains, date trees, mud homes, and herds of sheep and goats whose bleating fills the air. There's something gentle about how Kamalan frames his story: he doesn't rush, doesn't oversaturate. He rests his lens on stillness. As a storyteller, I may not be well-versed in the language of cinematography, but what I do know is story — and Kamalan has crafted a powerful one. With just a single village, a single character, and a single interview, he captures the vastness of a world. The protagonist is Nako (Uncle) Amin, a man whose eyes speak as much as his words. His presence anchors the film like an old tree that has withstood storms, shed a thousand leaves, yet still stands — quiet, weathered, and rooted in memory. His presence anchors the film like a tree that's seen too many seasons pass. Amin, in his steady, knowing voice, takes us on a journey through the village's past and present. He speaks of herds, of date trees, and their culture, he talks of the migration of Baloch labourers to the Gulf in the 1980s, and himself spending seven years as a police recruit in Bahrain to still choosing this land, his land., As he says, "Foreign lands can only be pleasant to those who have never been there." He recalls his nomadic life, where people roamed different places in search of necessities for survival. He notes that the migration of labourers to the Gulf has significantly reduced nomadic lifestyles, leading to a permanent settlement in Niwaano for those who once roamed freely. The decline of nomadic life, which was once the primary source of the economic system in ancient Baloch culture, has transformed over the decades. While Gulf migration has decreased, increased border trade has improved the society's economic position. When asked what his land offers, he replies, "There is nothing, but still, it is more pleasant." Then comes Kamalan's pivotal question — one that carries far more weight than its words suggest: 'Do you like it here, or can you simply not afford to leave?' The camera lingers on Amin's face. He smiles wide, then chuckles, and finally answers: 'We like it here.' There's a whole cosmos tucked within that smile. And in the small gesture he makes — adjusting his nose with his fingers — a quiet, unguarded tenderness. I paused the film. Then rewound. Watched it again. That moment, that chuckle — it is knowing. It sets the tone of the entire documentary. It tells us there is more beneath the surface. That this man's life — his gray beard, his weathered eyes — carries a story still unfolding. Kamalan uses his frames wisely. His visuals don't distract; they enrich. His storytelling allows space for reflection, for silence. He captures Niwaano's vastness: with a quiet rhythm, intercutting Amin's reflections with sweeping shots of the village. Palm trees stand tall against the jagged mountains. A little girl cradles a newborn. Water canals snake through the dry land. Abandoned mud houses bear witness to those who have left. But then the tone shifts. Kamalan shows us the graves of Niwaano—unmarked, nameless, some with only a single stone to remember them. The camera lingers as Amin's voice breaks the silence: "Our Baloch have also killed themselves in Muscat. The Baloch graveyard there is in good condition, but it is the land of others." Through Amin's recollections, we glimpse the transformation of the land. The decline of the Gulf migration. The slow rise of border trade from herding goats. The paradoxes of economic survival. Amin does not just tell his own story; he speaks to the broader anxieties of a neglected people. He critiques politicians who claim to bring development to the region, scoffing at their empty promises. "There is no road; this is their development," he says wryly. Lamenting over the erosion of societal values in his village, Amin points to the drug trade as both a cause and a consequence. "The sellers are destroying the younger generation," he says, "but in the end, they are destroying themselves too." "We are short of representatives," he sighs. The lack of infrastructure is a death sentence for many, and children grow up in schools that barely function. 'It has only been three years since our primary school was upgraded to middle school," Amin says, "but even now, there are so many vacant teaching posts." Amin recalls watching a local parliamentarian boast about bringing development to Buleda. "I could say nothing but shame," he says, shaking his head. "They claim progress, yet our children are still left without teachers, our roads are still dust and stone, and our sick still die on the way to hospitals that remain out of reach." In many ways, Kamalan Bebagar has done more than just document a village. He has honoured it. And through the eyes of Nako Amin, we see an entire philosophy — one that values dignity over convenience, rootedness over luxury. Through Kuhaani Niyaama, Kamalan Bebagar does not merely document a village; he listens to its heartbeat. He captures the pulse of a people, their undying attachment to the soil that raised them, and the quiet resilience that hums through their everyday lives. In the eyes of Amin, we see the unspoken weight of history — years folded into a single glance. And in his knowing chuckle, we hear a story that is still unfolding, still walking barefoot through mountain trails, still echoing through the dates and dust of Niwaano. But in the end, Kuhaani Niyaama isn't only about Niwaano. It speaks to every small village cradled by mountains, where time moves slowly, and stories are carried in calloused hands and whispered lullabies. It's about every mother who waits, and every shepherd who sings. It is about the stories we almost lose in the noise of modernity, but somehow — miraculously — find again: in a chuckle, in a silence, in a single frame. The documentary can be viewed here:
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
KU's 33rd Convocation: 7,248 degrees awarded
KARACHI: As many as 7, 248 degrees were conferred to students of morning and evening programs of the year 2023 in the various fields at the 33rd Convocation of the University of Karachi was held at the Expo Centre on Saturday. Governor of Sindh Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Karachi, was the chief guest. The Chairman Sindh Higher Education Commission Dr S M Tariq Rafi was the guest of honour. Some 244 gold medals were also awarded to the position holders during the convocation. Around 400 students attended the convocation ceremony and rests were awarded with degrees in-absentia. Hafiza Aqsa Anwar (MSc Institute of Space Science and Technology) clinched the overall top position and received the Martyrs of Army Public School, Peshawar, gold medal. Overall, first position in the entire faculty of arts and social sciences was bagged by Onzila (MA International Relations). Rabia Shahbaz (MA Special Education) topped in the faculty of education and Maryam (MA Islamic Learning) was the topper in the faculty of Islamic Studies. Alishba Jilani (BA-LLB) received top position in the faculty of law, Hania Sajid (BBA Business Administration) got overall first position in the faculty of management and administrative sciences. The overall first position in the entire faculty of pharmacy was bagged by Umama (Pharm-D) and Hafiza Aqsa Anwar (MSc Institute of Space Science and Technology) in the faculty of science. Syed Zain Adil (BE Chemical Engineering) was the topper in the faculty of engineering. In 2023, students completed their studies in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Bachelor of Science (Honours), Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Education (Honours), Bachelor of Public Administration (Honours), Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance, Bachelor of Science in Computational Mathematics, Bachelor of Science in Financial Mathematics, Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management, Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Library and Information Science, Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering, Audiology and Speech Pathology, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Doctor of Pharmacy, Executive Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Public Administration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Computer Science, and Postgraduate Diploma. At the convocation ceremony, a total of 60 PhD and 32 MPhil, one DSC, and two MS degrees were awarded. In the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, 11 scholars received PhD degrees and nine were conferred MPhil degrees. The Faculty of Management and Administrative Sciences honoured 10 students with PhDs and one with an MPhil. The Faculty of Science stood out with 21 PhD and 15 MPhil recipients, while the Faculty of Pharmacy awarded PhDs to seven students. In the Faculty of Education, both PhD and MPhil degrees were granted to six students each, and the Faculty of Law acknowledged four PhD scholars. Additionally, a distinguished DSC degree was conferred in the Department of Chemistry, and two MS degrees were awarded in Gynaecology and Operative Dentistry. This diverse distribution highlights the university's dedication to fostering research and academic leadership across disciplines. Chancellor of the University of Karachi, Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori expressed that today, in this grand convocation hall; the most honoured guests are the parents of all the students who waited 16 long years for this day. They nurtured their children and helped them reach a point where they can now make decisions about their future. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
