Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Sports focus
Pakistan’s relationship with sports dates back to its early independence, with cricket and hockey playing significant roles. However, hockey, once the national sport, has lost its prominence, giving way to cricket. This shift raises questions about the state of sports in Pakistan and the consequences of focusing almost solely on cricket.
Pakistan’s participation in the Olympics started in 1948, with notable successes in hockey until 1992. However, from 1996 to 2016, the country failed to win any medals, highlighting a decline in sports performance. The 2024 Olympics saw only seven Pakistani athletes, with Arshad Nadeem winning a gold medal in javelin, a rare moment of pride. But the question remains: will his name still resonate in the future, and can Pakistan continue to produce medal-winning athletes?
The underlying issue is Pakistan’s inadequate sports infrastructure and support, with non-cricket sports often neglected. Athletes outside cricket face immense challenges due to the lack of facilities and institutional support, leading to fading careers, as seen with past Olympians like Hussain Shah and Muhammad Ashiq. The government’s focus on cricket has overshadowed other sports, but Pakistan is not devoid of talent. If the government invests in diverse sports, the nation could shine globally and secure the future of its athletes.
Pakistan must rethink its approach to sports, nurturing talent across various disciplines to build a legacy beyond cricket—one that honours its past, celebrates its present and secures its future in sports.
SHUJAT
Islamabad
Hope amidst struggle
On 14th August 1947, the new dominion of Pakistan became independent. Our forefathers gave countless sacrifices in order to turn the dream of a safe, peaceful and welfare state, for the Muslims of the subcontinent, into reality. However, the current state of Pakistan depicts a deplorable picture of Hobbesian 2.0 state. Life in current state of Pakistan is brutish, nasty and short. The political parties of the country, instead of uniting the nation, are at loggerheads with each other.
Due to the awful economic conditions, the country is suffering from aid and loan syndrome. Despite being a garrison state, handling security-related policy affairs is considered a slippery slope. The ticking time bomb of population growth adds to the already moribund situation of Pakistan. Currently, Pakistan is facing plethora of challenges; however, there is still a ray of hope that Pakistan can get out of these murky waters. Pakistan can come out of political crisis through Modus Vivendi. Economic milieu of the country can improve by properly utilizing the economic resources of the country which worth $9 trillion. Focus should be on mutually beneficial projects, not handouts.
The massive population of Pakistan also has a positive side. Around 64% population is under the age of 30. If properly educated, in science and technology, this population can take Pakistan from the pit of darkness to the heights of glory. Being at a strategic position globally, Pakistan can make a respectable place for itself in the community of nations by formulating an independent foreign policy.
Let us give a pledge on this Independence Day to make utmost efforts as a nation to take every step that leads us to a successful nation of the world. In this way, we can pay for the sacrifices given by our forefathers.
LUBNA MALIK
Peshawar
Renewable energy potential
The World Bank has emphasized the urgent need to harness Balochistan’s vast renewable energy potential, as detailed in a recent study on Balochistan Renewable Energy Development. The report highlights the region’s immense capacity for solar and wind energy production, which not only has the potential to meet the energy needs of Balochistan and other provinces but also to be exported to neighbouring countries. The World Bank has further simplified the government’s task by identifying 28 specific sites in Balochistan where renewable energy plants can be established to generate up to five gigawatts of electricity.
There is no doubt that the future of secure energy lies in renewable sources. However, while Pakistan has set an ambitious target to generate 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, this goal cannot be achieved through mere rhetoric. Concrete actions are imperative. Currently, Pakistan’s renewable energy production stands at a mere 7%, with almost 60% of electricity being generated from costly petroleum products. Electricity generated from expensive imported oil and gas also comes with a high price tag. The situation is exacerbated by the taxes imposed by the government on electricity bills.
Therefore, it is crucial for the government to move beyond mere statements and take serious measures to increase the production of affordable renewable energy by leveraging the country’s natural resources. The Balochistan Renewable Energy Development study provides a clear roadmap for action, and the government must now seize this opportunity to secure a sustainable energy future for Pakistan.
GULAB UMID
Turbat
