Dear Readers,
The new year brought with it new hope but also tragedy. In the very first week of 2022, at least 23 people lost their lives in a snowstorm in Murree. We share the shock and grief of the nation at the loss, more so because the tragedy was preventable. Our team has done a thorough analysis of this tragedy and found that this was the result of government failure. This is our cover story.
In the current issue, we also analyse the National Security Policy, which has several grey areas. Bringing the policy draft to parliament for debate should have been a logical step but the government decided otherwise. The ultimate decision to define what constitutes national security lies with the representatives of the people of Pakistan. A proper debate and input from parliamentarians would remove grey areas.
In January, Transparency International released Corruption Perception Index for 2021 in which Pakistan dropped 16 places compared to the CPI for 2020. This is an impartial verdict on a government whose leader quoted the TI reports numerous times in the past as evidence of the corruption of his opponents. By that measure, the 2021 report is a damning verdict on the current government.
The current issue discusses a recent directive by the State Bank of Pakistan to apply International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS-9) on loans, securities and guarantees of the Government of Pakistan is a hit on Pakistan’s financial sovereignty. PML-N leader and former finance minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar analyses this development.
The February issue also carries news of a blood donation camp organized by PML-N in partnership with the Fatimid Foundation in Lahore.
Last but not the least, the month of February marks an important day on Pakistan’s solidarity with Kashmiris. On this day, we affirm our commitment to the Kashmir cause regardless of our political, religious, or geographic affiliations. The entire country affirms Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. Pakistan reiterates its commitment to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the people who have been living under domination of draconian Indian rule in Jammu and Kashmir.
Editor-in-Chief
Saira Bano
