Opinion View from Pakistan: Babar Azam’s resignation and a worrying report on children and climate change

Dawn (November 16) says, “Babar has divided opinion but there remains no doubt that he remains Pakistan’s batting mainstay. There were questions over his decision-making as captain but there are no questions about his class.” News International (November 16) comments on the overall state of Pakistan’s cricket team saying, “For Pakistan cricket to bounce back, it will take much more than a mere resignation of a failed captain… The upside for Pakistan cricket is that, despite all odds, it keeps on finding exciting new talent…players like Babar, who despite his failure as captain, is a major asset for Pakistan cricket.”

Express Tribune (November 17) agrees, saying, “Good managers and coaches do have their importance, but what brings sustained change in players’ performance is the work done at the grassroots… Unless we focus on improving the domestic cricket structure, we will never be able to abandon the tag of being unpredictable.”

Good news for the economy

Pakistan successfully completed the first review of its short-term loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Fund has agreed to release the next installment amounting to $710 million, as part of the $3 billion Standby Arrangement with Pakistan.

The Nation (November 17) celebrates this development, saying, “Beyond being a financial lifeline, this endorsement positions Pakistan favourably in the eyes of international investors, emphasising the nation’s unwavering commitment to essential elements such as fiscal consolidation, energy sector reforms, and a market-determined exchange rate — all vital for sustained economic growth.”

Express Tribune (November 16), however, warns, “The international lender, which is closely monitoring the trajectory of reforms, has called for transparency and accountability in business deals. This means a perfect institutional mechanism is desired in decision-making, and no more ad hocism as is the case.” Moreover, on the question of the economy’s future, Tribune asks, “will the economy be glued to the Fund in years to come or there is a plan to become self-reliant?”

Lahore’s smog problem

Lahore is at the top of the global pollution chart with an AQI of 470 during the day. Lahore, like Delhi, witnesses a massive decline in air quality in the winter due to “vehicle and industrial emissions, smoke from brick kilns, burning of crop residue and general waste, and dust from construction sites” (Dawn, November 15). Earlier this week, the Punjab government imposed an “environmental and health emergency” with schools, malls, parks and other public spaces shut down. Authorities are even considering artificial rain to curb air pollution.

The Nation (November 16) comments on the feasibility and accuracy of measures implemented saying, “Lockdown’s decision to keep the citizens safe and let the city breathe had its own complexities. Under economic strain… business and service sectors cannot agree to suspend activity four days a week… human activity that is piling up the hazardous, long-last­ing pollutants in the air, need to be checked.”

Dawn (November 16), however, believes, “The government’s response, while well-intentioned, seems to lack a long-term vision. The focus on punitive measures, such as fines and demolitions, and the deployment of teams to monitor industrial units, are necessary steps but they scratch only the surface of a multifaceted problem.”

Climate change impact on children

On November 14, Unicef released a report titled ‘The climate-changed child’, which found that one billion children are at “extremely high risk” from the climate crisis with 436 million living in areas of “high or extreme water vulnerability”, which includes Pakistan, and largely, South Asia. This is concerning because one-quarter of the world’s children reside in South Asia.

News International (November 16) speaks to the reason for this in Pakistan saying, “the expansion of urban areas and a rise in vertical living have increased water demand. And while the governments fail to meet people’s needs, they have allowed private water companies to exploit the country’s resources and sell the utility at higher rates.

The editorial points out the disparities in living standards that contribute to the abysmal number of children being deprived saying, “On the one hand, densely populated low-income areas have to store water in jerry cans and drums as they receive ‘line water’ once or twice a week, and on the other, residential buildings in posh areas maintain large swimming pools that require an extensive amount of water.”

Dawn (November 15) comments on the larger need to “refocus our climate strategies and policies on children”. It points out that “only 2.4 per cent of climate finance is dedicated to child-focused activities.” Hence, “In addressing climate change, we must not forget to secure our children’s future. Amplifying their voices and needs in the climate conversation is not just an environmental imperative but also a moral one.”

adya.goyal@expressindia.com