Pakistan Press on: Curbing Environmental Negligence, Culture, War: New Age Islam's Selection, 3 May 2025
By New Age Islam Edit Desk
3 May 2025
Curbing the Curve
Environmental Negligence
Culture War
Diplomacy, Not Diktats
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Curbing The Curve
May 03, 2025
In a much-needed display of preparedness, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has moved swiftly to impose a smart lockdown in Dheri Zardad, Charsadda, after a concerning uptick in mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases. With 22 confirmed infections in the province so far, this response is both timely and commendable. It suggests that, for once, lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic are being put to practical use — rather than merely being archived for future theses.
This is exactly the kind of response the public deserves: one that is grounded in data, not denial; in strategy, not spectacle. The idea of a smart lockdown — targeted, limited, and based on risk zones — worked well during COVID-19 when implemented properly. To see it now adapted for mpox reflects a maturing of institutional reflexes in public health.
But let this not be mistaken as a moment to relax. Mpox, though less transmissible than COVID-19, carries with it the potential to create anxiety, stigma, and economic disruption in already fragile communities. The challenge ahead lies in consistent surveillance, timely contact tracing, transparent information-sharing, and a firm but humane public messaging strategy. We hope that this outbreak serves as a nudge — a reminder that public health threats are no longer rare events but a recurring reality of our interconnected age. Authorities must be proactive, not just reactive, in building long-term disease surveillance systems. Healthcare staff should be trained to recognise early symptoms, and communities must be kept informed without triggering panic.
The lockdown in Charsadda should not just be a containment strategy — it should serve as a case study in how preparedness, local governance, and community compliance can work together. The virus might be new, but the tools to fight it no longer are. Let’s use them wisely.
https://www.nation.com.pk/03-May-2025/curbing-the-curve
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Environmental Negligence
May 03, 2025
The unchecked gravel mining in the Swat River, now reportedly altering its natural course, is yet another example of short-sighted and unregulated exploitation of natural resources. What should be treated as a protected ecosystem has instead become the site of rampant commercial activity, often backed by politically connected individuals and carried out in broad daylight — all while regulatory bodies look the other way. The environmental consequences are not just theoretical; they are already being felt in the form of riverbank erosion, altered water flow, and destruction of aquatic habitats.
We perceive this as a dangerous indulgence for a country that is consistently ranked among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. Pakistan is already battling the severe repercussions of climate change — from unprecedented flooding and shifting weather patterns to depleting water sources and agricultural decline. In such circumstances, any form of environmental mismanagement, especially one as preventable as illegal gravel mining, is not just irresponsible, it is self-destructive.
There is no time left for reactive policymaking or empty rhetoric. The costs — both environmental and human — are mounting. In the short term, livelihoods and homes along the Swat River are at risk. In the long term, unchecked exploitation of river systems will compromise water security, increase disaster vulnerability, and make sustainable development an increasingly distant dream.
We hope that environmental authorities and the provincial government recognise that every destroyed riverbank, every tampered flow, and every truckload of stolen gravel chips away at the already fragile future of this country. The mining must be halted, accountability enforced, and a robust restoration plan implemented — not for the sake of global perception, but for our own survival.
https://www.nation.com.pk/03-May-2025/environmental-negligence
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Culture War
May 02, 2025
As the Pakistan military continues its preparations amid growing tensions with India, a parallel and deeply concerning cultural war is unfolding online and through the few remaining channels of communication between the two nations. Mere moments after the attack in Pahalgam, Indian media erupted with inflammatory rhetoric—genocidal, apocalyptic, and stripped of all humanity. Public officials and celebrities alike joined the chorus, unleashing a torrent of vulgar abuse, including sexual intimidation and deeply disturbing threats against Pakistanis at large.
In the face of this onslaught, Pakistan responded with what was arguably the most effective counter: incredulity. Rather than dignify India’s fury with alarm or panic, many Pakistanis met it with humour and ridicule. Jokes circulated, memes proliferated, and the internet filled with laughter that exposed the absurdity of India’s position. This reaction not only blunted the force of India’s rhetoric but also deprived it of the fearful response it sought. Rage, after all, loses power when met with ridicule instead of fear. The backlash against India’s aggression extended beyond Pakistan. International observers and commentators criticised the vitriol emanating from India, and in many cases, sided with Pakistan in condemning the escalation. Perhaps as a result, India has now turned toward a deliberate cultural severance. Popular Pakistani YouTube channels and celebrities have been banned in India. In response, Pakistan welcomed the move to stop playing Indian songs on local FM radio—a symbolic gesture of cultural self-reliance and resistance.
This cultural decoupling may only intensify. Indian authorities appear committed to isolating their public from Pakistani voices, and Pakistan may follow suit in kind. A future where art, music, and shared cultural touchstones are no longer exchanged between the two countries seems increasingly likely.
It is, without question, a tragic development. But in the current climate of hate and dehumanisation, it may be necessary. Pakistani artists, musicians, and cultural figures must stand in solidarity with their nation. When confronted with such virulent hostility, there can be no middle ground. This is a time to close ranks, to protect our own, and to reject appeasement in the face of hatred masquerading as nationalism.
https://www.nation.com.pk/02-May-2025/culture-war
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Diplomacy, Not Diktats
May 03, 2025
In a rare moment of cautious optimism, recent reports about negotiations between Iran and the United States stirred a flicker of hope in a region long plagued by tension. Against the backdrop of ongoing volatility, the idea that dialogue — however circuitous — might be prioritised over escalation is, in itself, a positive sign. Yet, unsurprisingly, voices from the American political establishment seem intent on extinguishing this fragile progress before it even finds footing.
The latest such outburst comes from Senator Marco Rubio, who insists Iran must “walk away from all uranium enrichment.” Combative assertion like these will make diplomacy futile. One wonders what these statements are intended to achieve, beyond the usual theatrics aimed at domestic audiences and special interest groups. They do little to encourage diplomacy and everything to reaffirm the image of the United States as a power that demands rather than negotiates.
It must be said — the era of American exceptionalism is no longer unquestioned. The global political balance is shifting. If the US genuinely seeks stability in the Middle East, it would do well to step down from the pedestal and engage in talks as a stakeholder, not a self-appointed judge. We perceive this moment as an opportunity — not for immediate breakthroughs, but for incremental trust-building. Such trust cannot coexist with condescension. The region is already a powder keg. Adding rhetorical matches to the mix serves no one.
If Washington’s intent is truly to reduce conflict, then its representatives must choose the path of patient diplomacy over podium bravado. History is not often forgiving to those who mistake arrogance for strength — and the region can no longer afford the cost of performative posturing.
https://www.nation.com.pk/03-May-2025/diplomacy-not-diktats
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URl: https://www.newageislam.com/pakistan-press/curbing-environmental-negligence-culture-war/d/135407
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