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    Sri Lanka: Private Sector Engagement in Climate-Smart Agriculture a Necessity

    OWSA Contributor
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    Sri Lanka: Private Sector Engagement in Climate-Smart Agriculture a Necessity

    The forum, organised by the Ministry of Environment and the FAO, brought together representatives from the private sector, government, civil society, and international organisations.

    A public-private-people forum was recently held in Colombo to address challenges in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector through climate-smart solutions. The event, titled Catalyzing Climate-Smart Agriculture, served as a strategic platform to facilitate dialogue and collaboration aimed at overcoming barriers to private sector engagement in climate-smart agriculture, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

    “Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector stands at a crossroads. Through collaborative efforts like this Forum, we can drive sustainable, climate-resilient growth that safeguards livelihoods and ensures food security for future generations,” said Nalin Munasinghe, Assistant FAO Representative (Programme).

    The forum, organised by the Ministry of Environment and the FAO, brought together representatives from the private sector, government, civil society, and international organisations. Discussions focused on policy, regulatory, and fiscal reforms, as well as digital innovations, to enhance resilience, reduce emissions, and support national climate goals.

    “By uniting the expertise and resources of the public, private, and community sectors, we can unlock innovative solutions to build resilience in agriculture and secure sustainable livelihoods for millions of Sri Lankans,” said Dr. R D S Jayatunga, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment.

    Barriers Assessment

    Sessions at the forum highlighted key challenges facing Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, including erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and pest outbreaks, all of which have disrupted agricultural productivity. Participants validated findings from the comprehensive Barriers Assessment and explored actionable solutions to mobilise private sector investments in climate-smart agriculture.

    Among the proposed measures were:

    • Tailored policy reforms to encourage private sector participation;
    • Financial incentives to attract investment in sustainable agriculture;
    • Enhanced coordination mechanisms to align investments with global financing opportunities and local needs.

    The forum also proposed an actionable roadmap designed to:

    • Address barriers limiting private sector investment;
    • Foster public-private-community collaboration;
    • Leverage international climate financing;
    • Develop digital systems to streamline efforts and scale up best practices in climate-smart agriculture.

    A key recommendation was the establishment of a Private Sector Working Group to sustain momentum and ensure continued dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders.

    Expert presentations showcased global best practices, including insights from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan. The outcomes of the forum will inform ongoing and future initiatives aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector, with a focus on fostering resilience, promoting sustainable practices, and achieving national climate commitments.

    Productivity, Adaptation, and Mitigation

    According to the World Bank, climate smart agriculture is a set of agricultural practices and technologies which simultaneously boost productivity, enhance resilience and reduce GHG emissions. Although it is built on existing agricultural knowledge, technologies, and sustainability principles, Climate Smart Agriculture is distinct in several ways. First, it has an explicit focus on addressing climate change in the agri-food system. Second, Climate Smart Agriculture systematically considers the synergies and trade-offs that exist between productivity, adaptation, and mitigation. And third, Climate Smart Agriculture encompasses a range of practices and technologies that are tailored to specific agro-ecological conditions and socio-economic contexts including the adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties, conservation agriculture techniques, agroforestry, precision farming, water management strategies, and improved livestock management.

    The World Bank says that the climate-smart agriculture concept reflects the ambition to improve the integration of agriculture development and climate responsiveness. Climate Smart Agriculture aims to achieve food security and broader development goals under a changing climate and increasing food demand.

    Climate Smart Agriculture initiatives sustainably increase agriculture productivity, enhance resilience of agro-systems, and reduce/remove greenhouse gases from agriculture production, and require planning to address trade-offs and synergies between these three pillars: productivity, adaptation, and mitigation.

    Pakistan: Freedom of Expression at Stake With New Cybercrime Law

    Inter Press Service
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    Pakistan: Freedom of Expression at Stake With New Cybercrime Law

    The law was originally passed in 2016, by the same ruling party that has brought the current amendments — the Pakistan Muslim League-N. It had been met with much criticism even then. The amendment to the law, criminalises fake news and its dissemination.

    By Zofeen Ebrahim

    “I may not be able to continue hosting my show because the content I put up will most certainly land me in prison,” said senior correspondent Azaz Syed who works for a private TV channel, but who also has his own private online digital channel. He was referring to the recent amendment in the already existing cybercrime law, terming it a “wild” law which has been instituted to grapple with fake news among other online harms.

    The new version — Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 — passed hurriedly, within a week, in both the houses without debate, and signed into a law by President Asif Ali Zardari on January 29, has triggered nationwide protests by the country’s media personnel.

    “They have taken away my right to freedom of expression,” Syed told IPS.

    “I fail to understand the uproar among journalists working in electronic media. They already have PEMRA, [the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority] which is responsible for facilitating and regulating private electronic media,” said Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta­ullah Tarar. “This law is to regulate the social media and countries across the world have some codes or standards under which social media operate; but there was none in our country.”

    He said the existing authority, which is the Federal Investigation Authority, that looked into cybercrimes seemed ill-equipped to handle the expanding nature of online crimes taking place — harassment, pornography, national security threats, spreading economic uncertainty; just look at the conviction rate, which is dismal,” he defended the amendment.

    Tarar’s reference to the “uproar” stems from TV journalists, like Syed, who have gigs on online platforms and fear the restrictions on content imposed by PECA.

    Losing their Voices

    For the past two years, Syed has been hosting a popular show on YouTube called Talk Shock, focusing on sensitive topics like the Pakistan army, intelligence agencies, blasphemy laws, persecution of Ahmadis, and forced conversions of Hindu girls. He described it as a passion project addressing issues close to his heart, despite potential disapproval from authorities. His show has gained over eight million viewers and 174,000 followers, also providing him with extra income.

    Hamid Mir, host of Capital Talk, one of the oldest and highest-rated political talk shows, launched his digital TV channel on YouTube after being banned from TV in 2021 (he had already been banned twice, in 2007 by military dictator Pervez Musharraf  and in 2008 by the ruling Pakistan People’s Party) for  speaking against the country’s powerful military for persecuting journalists. “I share my opinions there when I am unable to on the channel that I’m employed in. Having your own platform is liberating,” he told IPS. He has 263,000 viewers.

    Mir’s greater worry though is the possibility of losing his voice on X, where he connects with over eight million followers. “If I can’t speak my mind, it will have a profound impact on me,” he said.

    But even those journalists who otherwise feel social media is being misused find the law distasteful.

    “I have zero tolerance for fake news, and am all for regulating the beast that social media has become, but not this way, certainly” said senior investigative journalist, Umar Cheema, terming it a “third class” law.

    Potential for Misuse

    The law was originally passed in 2016, by the same ruling party that has brought the current amendments — the Pakistan Muslim League-N. It had been met with much criticism even then.

    “The reason for the need for the law given back in 2016 was to counter hate speech, terrorist content and harassment of women — this time the ruse is fake news,” said Farieha Aziz’s co-founder of Bolo Bhi, an advocacy forum for digital rights. The suspicion and criticism against the law now and then is the same — the government is using this law to “stifle political dissent and rein in freedom of expression” she said.

    The amendment to the law, criminalises fake news and its dissemination with a prison term of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 2 million (about USD 7,200).

    But, pointed out Aziz, the concern went beyond just the penalties associated with the amendment to the law — it is the “potential for misuse” in the process of determining what constitutes fake news. “People will be reluctant to share or even discuss information out of fear that it might be deemed false or harmful, leading to criminal charges,” she explained, adding the definition of fake news was vague and broad. “They have created a vagueness through the use of language taken from the anti-terrorism act, around the offence,” she pointed out.

    Unconstitutional

    “The government operates in grey areas and likes to keep people in a state of confusion,” agreed Cheema.

    Moreover, pointed out, Munazza Siddiqui, senior producer on a private TV channel: “The law is unconstitutional as it violates the fundamental right to freedom, a core principle enshrined in our Constitution.” She uses TikTok, a platform predominantly used for putting up entertaining content, for disseminating news and opinions. “It’s popular with young people but works superbly for me as they are my audience. The millennials and Gen Z want to stay informed about the world around them, but they lack the patience to sit through long articles or watch lengthy news segments on TV. I provide them with both in just a minute or so!”

    However, Siddiqui acknowledged that her vlogging might be impacted. With the sword of Damocles hanging over her, in the form of the newly revised cyber law, she said, “We already navigate a space of self-censorship, and now there’s an added layer of fear.”

    The law establishes four bodies — the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, the Social Media Complaints Council, the Social Media Protection Tribunal, and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency—concentrating significant power. Aziz warned that these bodies, appointed by the federal government, could lack independence, creating potential conflicts of interest and undermining fairness and accountability.

    “And the window of appeal has also been closed as I can only go to the Supreme Court of Pakistan,” said Azaz, which was an expensive route to prove your innocence.

    Facts Must be Solid

    Although the 2016 cybercrime law was already considered draconian by experts, the reason to tweak it further, explained Cheema, was that “the nature and use of social media has changed and become more sophisticated since then, adding that the media needed to share the blame for the recent shape the law has taken.

    Cheema said the media did not establish a code of conduct for responsible social media use which led the government to step in, using the fake news excuse to silence dissenting voices. He emphasised that while media can express opinions, facts must be solid, and journalists should hold each other accountable. “Yet, we don’t even call out our colleagues for lying.”

    Finding the nationwide protest hypocritical, he questioned, “The bill wasn’t a surprise — everyone knew it was being revised. Why didn’t anyone speak up then? Where were the protests and revisions when it was in the National Assembly and Senate? There was silence, and now, after it’s law, they’re out on the streets.”

    “The law is in place,” Tarrar said with finality. However, he added: “The rules are still being worked out, and we’re open to media input to refine them.”

    “Recalling the law may be tough,” agreed Cheema, but if the media is concerned, “They can come up with their own system; no one is stopping them; but that’s the real test for our community.”

    This piece has been sourced from Inter Press Service.

    Bhutan: Growing Food Out of Water

    OWSA Contributor
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    Bhutan: Growing Food Out of Water

    Kinley Wangmo, a self-reliant woman in Bhutan has adapted hydroponics to her country’s farming context. FAO’s experts have helped her save on the cost of importing hydroponics systems customised the approaches to hydroponics for Bhutanese farmers.

    Like millions around the world, Kinley Wangmo and her family were left without a source of income during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. Unlike most of the world, this Bhutanese mother found a livelihood solution in hydroponics farming, which involves growing plants in a special nutrient-rich water instead of using soil.

    What began as a simple interest soon blossomed into a profound passion. She attended online trainings and saw that this innovative technique was also full of promise for addressing the challenges of food security and land fragmentation in her landlocked Himalayan homeland.

    Hydroponics uses less water and is more productive than soil-based agriculture and can be carried out all year round. Though hydroponics can be expensive and difficult to install, all it requires at its most basic level is the plants, water, a container and a source of light.

    To save on the cost of importing hydroponics systems, she learned extensively from international experts and customised their approaches for Bhutanese farmers.

    Using her previous experience as a contractor, undertaking everything from plumbing to electrical jobs, Kinley, who also currently runs a hardware shop, leveraged her skills and self-taught know-how to build a hydroponics system using the deep flow technique, which catches and recycles water using pipes. The system is low-cost, efficient and made using readily available materials.   

    It’s also easy to maintain, making it accessible and practical for small-scale farmers in Bhutan’s rugged terrain.

    Keen to Share Her Knowledge

    Kinley started Bhutan Hydroponics in a small-scale greenhouse in the Changzamtok area of the capital, Thimphu, back in 2020.

    In early 2024, Kinley was one of the 30 recipients of funding support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as part of its Peri-urban and Urban Farming project in Bhutan, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

    The project helped her with land development, equipment and materials for the farm, as well as seeds on a cost-sharing basis, and technical support with installing the greenhouses, garden structures, irrigation systems and digital equipment she needed for the venture.

    Her vision is steadily taking shape with the establishment of three spacious greenhouses.

    “The main benefit of hydroponics is that it helps plants and vegetables grow faster than traditional soil farming, and it takes up less space,” Kinley explains. “In a greenhouse, we can control everything to make sure the plants grow well.” 

    Kinley is keen to share her knowledge to help communities in Bhutan become more independent. “The pandemic showed us how important self-sufficiency is.”

    She’s been a passionate advocate for increasing the use of hydroponics in the country, offering her expertise in setting up systems and selling her adapted hydroponics system at a cost that’s highly favourable compared with imported equipment.

    Self-sufficiency

    About one-third of Bhutan’s population faces food insecurity. With shrinking, fragmented land holdings and many working-age adults moving from rural to urban areas, labor-intensive agriculture is becoming increasingly challenging.

    The pandemic also showed the reliance of urban areas on food imported from abroad or from rural areas. In this, Bhutan’s Department of Agriculture has been pushing ahead with its strategy to promote urban farming.

    Kinley also advocates for self-sufficiency and safe food in urban areas, like the capital in which she lives.

    “In urban areas where food security is a pressing issue, I am dedicated to making freshly harvested, nutritious food accessible to everyone. Amidst busy lifestyles and the challenge of accessing quality food, we aim to reduce food waste and promote healthier eating habits,” says Kinley.

    Bhutan’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, livestock and forests; this sector supports about 57 percent of the population. Even though the agriculture sector is growing in absolute terms, the share of the national Gross Domestic Product has been steadily decreasing due to rapid growth in other economic sectors.

    On top of that, agricultural productivity is being undermined by an array of factors including urbanization and rapid development, crop damage by wild animals, land fragmentation, pests and diseases, rising temperatures and a shortage of agricultural inputs. As a result, Bhutan’s goals of food security and self-sufficiency are becoming harder to achieve.

    Transforming Agrifood Systems

    FAO’s project is addressing these issues by helping to move crop production closer to consumers and meeting growing demand in urban areas while showcasing new technologies for transforming agrifood systems, as well as creating more jobs and income opportunities especially for women and young people.

    Now, Kinley employs nine people, mostly single mothers and youth. Her current focus is on growing lettuce, which her team has harvested three times in five months and supplied to chain of hotels in the country. She currently grows two lettuce varieties and plans to cultivate three more types and recruit more staff in the future as her business continues to grow.

    “Despite the challenges, I promote technology to inspire young people and women in agriculture because it’s simple,” Kinley says, adding that technology makes agriculture more appealing because it is less physically arduous and cleaner than conventional farming.

    Since she expanded her business early this year, she has been selling lettuce and salads in the capital and nearby towns. She says that if she can further expand the business, she would be able to meet the rapidly growing market demand.

    With her initiative full of innovative promise, Kinley is making an important contribution to the future of food, inspiring others and forging a new agricultural development model for Bhutan.

    Trump’s USAID Freeze Sparks Global Aid Crisis

    Bijoy Patro
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    Trump’s USAID Freeze Sparks Global Aid Crisis

    The decision to freeze USDIA also aligns with Trump’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as the reinstatement of the controversial “global gag rule,” which bars foreign organisations receiving US aid from providing abortion services.

    The Trump administration’s decision to freeze foreign aid funding and absorb the US Agency for International Development (USAID) into the State Department has sent shockwaves through the global humanitarian sector. The move, announced as part of a broader “America First” agenda, has disrupted critical health and humanitarian programs, led to mass protests, and created widespread uncertainty among aid organisations worldwide.

    President Donald Trump’s 90-day aid review has effectively halted new funding for USAID projects, leaving thousands of aid workers and beneficiaries in limbo. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appointed as acting USAID administrator, has been tasked with overseeing the transition, sparking concerns that USAID may be permanently dissolved.

    Thousands of aid workers staged protests outside USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C., demanding clarity on their future. Many NGOs have been forced to issue “stop work” orders, while the agency’s website and social media accounts were abruptly taken down, reinforcing fears of a permanent shift.

    Humanitarian Fallout

    Although the administration granted a waiver for life-saving aid—such as medicine, food, and shelter—many critical programs remain frozen. Mohamed Abbas, regional director of Hand in Hand for Aid and Development, warned that the pause will have devastating effects in Syria, where USAID is one of the largest humanitarian donors.

    “The situation is dire,” Abbas told the science communication platform, SciDev.Net. “There are serious concerns that this funding gap cannot be filled, especially as Syria is losing priority on the global agenda.”

    In refugee camps like Atmeh, Syria, aid workers fear outbreaks of disease due to the sudden withdrawal of medical support. “With health programs shutting down, we are on the brink of a disaster,” said Abdul Rahim Al-Hussein, a camp director.

    Shift in US Aid Priorities

    The Trump administration has signalled that funding for climate programmes, gender rights, and reproductive health will likely be cut permanently. “These programmes do not align with America’s best interests,” a State Department statement read.

    The decision also aligns with Trump’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as the reinstatement of the controversial “global gag rule,” which bars foreign organisations receiving US aid from providing abortion services.

    In Zimbabwe, Linos Muvhu, a maternal health advocate, lamented the loss of USAID funding. “This is a big loss. We have few donors supporting perinatal mental health,” he said, adding that African nations must now explore alternative funding sources.

    Universities and Health Sectors Affected

    The funding freeze has also impacted higher education. The American University in Cairo (AUC) has been forced to suspend student scholarships, while USAID-funded programs in Uganda have been shut down.

    Meanwhile, global health programs are bracing for cuts. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) warns that the suspension of USAID support could lead to 1,200 additional maternal deaths and 109,000 unintended pregnancies in Afghanistan alone over the next three years.

    “The human cost of this decision is staggering,” said UNFPA’s Pio Smith. “Women and children will be the hardest hit.”

    As the 90-day review unfolds, aid organisations worldwide remain in a state of uncertainty. With the US historically providing nearly half of global humanitarian assistance, the world is left questioning whether America’s leadership in international aid is coming to an end.

    Fallout in South Asia

    UNFPA works across the world including in Afghanistan, where more than nine million people are expected to lose access to health and protection services because of the US funding crisis, it said.

    This will impact nearly 600 mobile health teams, family health houses and counselling centres, whose work will be suspended, Smith explained.

    “Every two hours, a mother dies from preventable pregnancy complications, making Afghanistan one of the deadliest countries in the world for women to give birth. Without UNFPA’s support, even more lives will be lost at a time when the rights of Afghan women and girls are already being torn to pieces.”

    In Pakistan, the UN agency warns that the US announcement will affect 1.7 million people, including 1.2 million Afghan refugees, who will be cut off from lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services, with the closure of over 60 health facilities.

    In Bangladesh, nearly 600,000 people, including Rohingya refugees, face losing access to critical maternal and reproductive health services.

    “This is not about statistics. This is about real lives. These are literally the world’s most vulnerable people,” Smith insisted.

    In Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar refugee camp complex – where more than one million Rohingya refugees remain trapped in dire conditions – nearly half of all births now take place in health facilities, with UNFPA’s support.

    “This progress is now at risk,” Smith continued, noting that the agency requires more than $308 million dollars this year to sustain essential services in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

    Sri Lanka to Allocate 50,000 Acres for Industrial Development

    OWSA Contributor
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    Sri Lanka to Allocate 50,000 Acres for Industrial Development

    Entrepreneurs outside Board of Investment zones often face lengthy approval processes, with some projects requiring special gazettes and parliamentary approval, making it nearly impossible for independent investors to navigate the system without government intervention.

    Sri Lanka plans to allocate 50,000 acres of land for industrial development, a significant step toward addressing the country’s historically low land availability for industries. The announcement was made by Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary to the Ministry of Industries, during an economic forum organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

    Jayasundara highlighted that Sri Lanka has only 0.4 percent of its land designated for industrial use, far below the international norm of around 3 percent. To bridge this gap, the government aims to increase industrial land allocation to 1 percent by 2030.

    “For allocating the lands, we identified 50,000 acres for industries with the support of all relevant government institutions responsible for land allocation,” Jayasundara stated. She assured that the Ministry of Industries could complete the allocation process within 22 days and issue long-term lease agreements to investors within an additional 62 days, significantly streamlining the process.

    Bureaucratic Red Tape

    Private investors in Sri Lanka have long struggled to secure land for industrial purposes, with bureaucratic red tape and restrictive land laws posing significant obstacles. Land acquisition for private industries has been notoriously difficult, with many investors citing the process as a “nightmare.”

    Historically, Sri Lanka’s land ownership structure has been heavily influenced by colonial policies. While freehold land ownership developed under colonial rule, large tracts of land were nationalised after independence, limiting private ownership to a maximum of 50 acres. Moreover, various laws have designated vast areas exclusively for agricultural use, further restricting industrial expansion.

    Entrepreneurs outside Board of Investment (BOI) zones often face lengthy approval processes, with some projects requiring special gazettes and parliamentary approval, making it nearly impossible for independent investors to navigate the system without government intervention.

    By expediting land allocation and simplifying administrative procedures, the Sri Lankan government aims to attract more local and foreign investment, boosting economic growth and industrialisation. The new initiative is expected to create jobs, enhance manufacturing capabilities, and drive economic diversification in the country.

    Despite these positive steps, challenges remain. Analysts suggest that while the government’s commitment to accelerating land allocation is a welcome move, the success of the initiative will depend on its effective implementation and the reduction of bureaucratic inefficiencies that have historically hindered industrial investment.

    As Sri Lanka moves toward its 2030 target, the coming years will determine whether these land reforms can translate into tangible economic gains and a more investor-friendly business environment.

    Annual Growth 6.4 Per Cent

    The mixed economy of Sri Lanka was worth 27.60 LKR trillion ($84 billion) by gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 and $318 billion by purchasing power parity (PPP). The country had experienced an annual growth of 6.4 percent from 2003 to 2012, well above its regional peers. This growth was driven by the growth of non-tradable sectors, which the World Bank warned to be both unsustainable and inequitable. Growth has slowed since then. In 2022, Sri Lanka faced a severe economic crisis, characterised by high inflation, and political instability. However, the country stabilised faster than expected in 2023 due to key economic reforms and fiscal discipline. By 2024, Sri Lanka re-entered the path of economic growth, with a renewed focus on sustainable development.

    Sri Lanka has met the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of halving extreme poverty and is on track to meet most of the other MDGs, outperforming other South Asian countries. Sri Lanka’s poverty headcount index was 4.1 per cent by 2016. Since the end of the three-decade-long Sri Lankan Civil War, Sri Lanka has begun focusing on long-term strategic and structural development challenges and has financed several infrastructure projects.

    High foreign debt, economic mismanagement under the governments of Gotabhaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa, and lower tourism revenue led to the country defaulting on its sovereign debt in April 2022. The economy contracted 7.8 per cent in 2022, and the percentage of the population earning less than $3.65 a day doubled to around 25 per cent of the population. On March 20, 2023, the IMF loaned US$3 billion to the country as part of a 48-month debt relief program.

    Sindh Government Takes Strong Measures to Curb Price Hikes

    OWSA Contributor
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    Sindh Government Takes Strong Measures to Curb Price Hikes

    The Sindh government has decided to establish separate police stations across all divisions of the province, including Karachi, as part of a comprehensive plan to take effective action against price gouging of essential commodities as inflation has caused unrest among people.

    A high-level meeting on price regulation of essential commodities was held under the chairmanship of Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for IT, Waqar Mehdi, and Special Assistant to the Bureau of Supplies, Usman Hangoro. The meeting, attended by Agriculture Secretary Sohail Ahmed Qureshi, Director General Bureau of Supplies and Prices Shakir Qayyum Khanzada, the Legal Manager of National Foods, and other officials, focused on implementing strict measures to control inflation and ensure affordability for the public.

    During the session, the Agriculture Secretary and DG Bureau of Supplies provided a detailed briefing on current measures to stabilise prices. Waqar Mehdi announced that the Sindh government has decided to establish dedicated police stations to take stringent action against profiteers. The initiative aims to curb hoarding, price manipulation, and overpricing, ensuring essential goods remain within reach for consumers.

    Mehdi emphasised that all warehouses across Sindh will be registered before Ramadan to prevent price gouging and hoarding. He instructed officials to set up special stalls in discount markets to offer essential commodities at regulated prices, ensuring affordability during the holy month. Additionally, he mandated the registration and strict monitoring of all cold storage facilities in Sindh’s vegetable markets, preventing them from inflating prices.

    Usman Hangoro reinforced the government’s commitment to addressing price manipulation across the province. He stated that the newly established police stations will operate across Sindh, working in collaboration with the Bureau of Supplies and the police department. These enforcement units will be empowered to take swift action against hoarders and illegal price hikes.

    Consumer Protection Measures

    To enhance consumer protection, Hangoro directed that special monitoring duties be assigned across Sindh’s marketplaces. This initiative will ensure prompt responses to consumer complaints and uphold price stability. As part of this effort, vendors and pushcart sellers will be required to prominently display official price lists for fruits and vegetables, allowing consumers to make informed purchases.

    In a significant decision, the meeting also approved the establishment of special spice stalls at discounted prices in Karachi’s discount markets. This measure aims to provide relief to consumers amid fluctuating prices of essential food items.

    Crackdown on Overpricing

    Highlighting recent enforcement actions, DG Bureau of Supplies reported that within the past three weeks, 272 business units were inspected in Karachi, leading to fines amounting to PKR 536,000. These inspections are part of a broader crackdown on businesses engaging in unethical pricing practices.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan’s inflation rate has dropped to a nearly decade-low level of 2.4 per cent in January, intensifying calls for further reductions in interest rates. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) significantly eased compared to the same period last year. This marks the slowest pace of inflation since November 2015 when the rate was recorded at 2.7 per cent.

    Despite the decline in inflation, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet expressed concerns over rising prices of sugar, vegetables, and edible oil. The gap between headline inflation and the key policy rate of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has now widened to 9.6 per cent, raising questions about the central bank’s cautious monetary approach.

    Last week, the State Bank of Pakistan had reduced interest rates to 12 per cent, marking a total cut of 10 per cent since the beginning of the fiscal year. However, the cost of borrowing remains significantly higher than the prevailing inflation rate, suggesting that further monetary easing may be necessary to stimulate economic growth and consumer spending.

    The Sindh government’s latest initiatives reflect a proactive approach to mitigating the effects of price volatility. By establishing dedicated police stations, enforcing strict regulations, and enhancing monitoring mechanisms, the government aims to protect consumers from exploitation while ensuring market stability. These measures are expected to play a crucial role in price control, particularly with the upcoming Ramadan season.

    A Travesty of Justice

    OWSA Contributor
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    A Travesty of Justice

    That the Yamuna water is not only not potable but also poisonous is not debatable. That a lot of these pollutants get into the river before it reaches Delhi is also not debatable. A cursory investigation would be enough to verify this.

    By Premangshu Ray

    The incidents leading up to the Delhi Assembly elections are a travesty of justice. These have been so shocking that calling it a travesty of justice is less than even a mild rap on the knuckles. There are many examples to support this contention. Each of these show beyond doubt how the people’s will has been sought to be subverted.

    Just before the elections, a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate in Delhi was allegedly seen distributing salwar suits to garner votes. The vehicle in which these suits were kept is allegedly that of the candidate. However, there has been no report of any action taken by either the police or the Election Commission. The question that arises is why the police is not checking the vehicles of BJP workers.

    On February 1, around 1:00 pm, individuals wearing BJP sashes and caps, allegedly linked to a BJP leader, physically assaulted Aam Aadmi Party workers Gaurav Singh, Suresh Acharya, and Pranali Rawat in the Chelmsford Club slum area in New Delhi, according to a complaint lodged by AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. The MP, who also alleged that Rawat was harassed during the incident, said police officers refused to intervene against the perpetrators.

    Physical Abuse by Police

    AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal states in his letter to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar that on Saturday, senior AAP volunteer Chetan was unlawfully detained and booked at Tilak Marg Police Station on the fictitious ground that he has previous cases registered against him.

    “He was brazenly charged with actions that he had never committed. He was also subjected to severe physical abuse by the Police officials to the point that he fainted and subsequently rushed to Lady Harding Hospital. Later on, after a lot of struggle, he was produced before the Return Officer/ SDM concerned and granted bail, in a matter in which he was brazenly framed,” the AAP convenor wrote.

    There is nothing to show that Kumar has even said that this complaint would be looked into.

    AAP has also alleged that its sitting MLA from north-west Delhi’s Rithala, Mohinder Goyal, who is seeking re-election, was assaulted by BJP workers while he was interacting with residents of Pocket H in Rohini’s Sector 11. The Delhi police, which comes under the Union home ministry, has brushed this away by saying that there was a “scuffle” between the MLA and some residents. The version of the police is difficult to accept as it is far from likely that an MLA seeking re-election would get into a scuffle less than a week before the polls.

    On November 30, a man splashed some liquid on Arvind Kejriwal during his padyatra in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar. Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that the man, who the party said is a BJP worker, had a matchbox in his hand and it was an attempt to burn Kejriwal alive.

    Intimidation and Harassment

    “It is no coincidence that this comes right after Arvind Kejriwal spoke out against the BJP’s failure to control crime in Delhi,” said senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia.

    Kejriwal wrote to Kumar on Sunday expressing “grave concern over the intimidation and harassment being meted out to our grassroot volunteers in the New Delhi Assembly Constituency at the hands of BJP workers and Delhi Police”.

    There is nothing to show that the Election Commission has acted on any of these concerns or on any other issue of impropriety by the members and supporters of the BJP. What it has done instead is to ask Kejriwal for an explanation for his statement about the pollution of the Yamuna water and proof with regard to the remarks he has made on that score.

    That the Yamuna water is not only not potable but also poisonous is not debatable. That a lot of these pollutants get into the river before it reaches Delhi is also not debatable. A cursory investigation would be enough to verify this. Despite this, the Election Commission has chosen to demand that Kejriwal provide proof to back up his statements.

    It would have been fitting for the poll panel to have used its time and energy to look into the numerous complaints made against members and supporters of the party in power at the Centre.

    The author is a senior journalist who writes on sociopolitical and socioeconomic issues.

    Genocide 2.0 — Trump’s Plan for Cleansing Gaza

    Inter Press Service
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    Genocide 2.0 — Trump’s Plan for Cleansing Gaza

    Netanyahu, who can only be pleased that the supposedly most powerful person in the world is doing his bidding, is already under indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.

    By James E. Jennings

    Either the new US President, Donald Trump, is ignorant of international law or thinks he’s so brilliant that he doesn’t care about it. Either way, he seems to have stumbled into proposing an extension of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s clearly documented crime of genocide by suggesting that somebody “clear out” the people in Gaza, in effect advocating the ethnic cleansing of the territory.

    Ethnic cleansing violates international humanitarian law. It is a crime against humanity and constitutes a war crime. It is also listed as part of the supreme international crime of genocide. Population transfers such as “Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group” is one of the elements defining genocide.

    The UN adopted the Genocide Convention 1948 and it went into effect in 1951. Among the punishable offenses are “acts committed with intent to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.”

    Crimes punishable under the convention include “Conspiracy to commit genocide,” “Public advocacy to commit genocide” and “attempt to commit genocide.” You don’t actually have to kill someone yourself, or directly order someone to do it.

    On a plain reading of the convention, by publicly advocating that 1.5 million Palestinians should be transferred to Jordan or Egypt, Trump has already crossed the line of advocacy. If forcible transfers should actually happen, he is prima facie complicit.

    Egyptian President al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah both announced opposition to the idea of sending the Palestinians to their territory. The King said that Jordan would not participate in such a plan, and President al-Sisi proclaimed that Egypt would not be part of an “unjust” solution.

    They might have said, “Don’t you realise, you idiot, that you are advocating one of the key elements of genocide — transferring people, especially children, from one group to another group?”

    Steadfastness

    According to the Genocide Convention, “conspiring to commit” genocide and “publicly advocating” genocide are equally punishable under international law as the crime itself. Genocide, which involves proving intent, is a high threshold to meet in court, but ethnic cleansing requires only that the crime be documented as having happened.

    Netanyahu, who can only be pleased that the supposedly most powerful person in the world is doing his bidding, is already under indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, which has now issued arrest warrants for him.

    Why doesn’t somebody just ask the Palestinians if they want to leave and where they want to go? Most have proclaimed for more than 75 years that they want to go back to their original homes in Palestine (now Southern Israel) that they were forced out of by Israeli troops in 1948.

    If not that, most have said they want to rebuild Gaza and stay there, as difficult and nearly impossible as that prospect is. Gazans have pride in their heritage and homeland, and are firm in their belief in sumud in Arabic—“steadfastness.” They refuse to give up the dream of a national homeland of their own in Palestine.

    The reality of what they face in a 90 per cent destroyed environment is daunting in the extreme. Humanitarian aid is urgently needed, and will be for the foreseeable future. However, every person has the right to make choices about where they want to live.

    No would-be dictator like America’s chief executive can decide their future for them.

    James E. Jennings PhD is President of Conscience International and a longtime advocate for Palestinian Human and Civil Rights.

    Imran Khan Writes to Army Chief Urging Policy Re-evaluation

    OWSA Contributor
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    Imran Khan Writes to Army Chief Urging Policy Re-evaluation

    Express News reported that Imran’s letter critiques the establishment’s backing of leaders who have “twice benefited from the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO),” suggesting that political compromises have undermined the democratic process.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan revealed on Monday that party founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has written a letter to Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, stressing the need to reassess certain policies that he claims have led to growing mistrust between the people and the establishment. Gohar further announced that the letter’s full text would be made public later in the day.

    The letter, penned from Adiala Jail, comes amid increasing scrutiny over the relationship between PTI and Pakistan’s military leadership. Last month, a meeting between General Munir and PTI leaders Ali Amin Gandapur and Barrister Gohar ignited speculation. Initially, Gohar denied any such contact, but later acknowledged the meeting, claiming to have received a “positive response.” However, security sources dismissed any political undertones, stating that the discussions were misrepresented.

    Addressing Public-Establishment Disconnect

    Speaking to the media, Barrister Gohar stated that Imran’s letter to General Munir was an attempt to bridge the widening gap between the military and the public. He quoted the PTI founder as saying that such mistrust “should not take place at all” but was being exacerbated by certain policies.

    “Owing to these reasons, the army is being blamed, so the policy reasons must be re-evaluated,” he emphasised, referring to Imran’s concerns over national governance and security.

    According to PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry, Imran urged security institutions to recognise the need for a shift in the current policies. The former premier specifically highlighted what he described as the “imposition of a minority government against the will of the majority” following the alleged rigging of the February 8 general elections.

    Key Issues Raised in the Letter

    Express News reported that Imran’s letter critiques the establishment’s backing of leaders who have “twice benefited from the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO),” suggesting that political compromises have undermined the democratic process. The letter also addresses:

    1. Electoral Rigging – Imran claimed that the February 8 elections were manipulated, leading to a government that does not reflect the people’s will.
    2. Protection of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) – He argued that amendments to the act were being used to suppress dissent, particularly on social media.
    3. State Actions Against PTI – The letter alleges unjust arrests and crackdowns on PTI leaders and supporters.
    4. Economic Instability – Imran expressed concern over the worsening economic situation and its impact on national security.
    5. Role of Intelligence Agencies – He raised questions about the agencies’ involvement in domestic politics.
    6. National Unity in Counterterrorism – Imran stressed that a united nation is crucial for an effective fight against terrorism.

    The letter marks a direct appeal from the jailed leader to the military, calling for a course correction in governance and national security policies.

    Legal and Political Ramifications

    This is not the first time Imran has addressed state institutions through formal letters. Just last week, he sent a detailed 349-page letter to Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Aminuddin, outlining concerns about human rights violations, electoral fraud, and the suppression of PTI members.

    In the letter to the judiciary, Imran accused the government of orchestrating mass arrests of PTI workers between November 24 and 27, 2024. He alleged that hospital records were tampered with to distort facts and that PTI members were subjected to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

    “The current government came into power through electoral fraud and historic rigging,” he wrote, further accusing authorities of demolishing PTI offices and torturing party leaders.

    Government and Military Response Awaited

    While PTI leaders have framed Imran’s letter as an urgent call for policy change, the government has yet to issue a response. Similarly, the military has remained silent on the matter. Analysts suggest that the letter’s publication could add to the existing political turmoil, intensifying the confrontation between PTI and the establishment.

    With Imran Khan’s words now in the public domain, all eyes are on how the military and the government will react. Will this letter spark a meaningful policy shift, or further deepen political divisions? The coming days will reveal the impact of this move by Pakistan’s embattled former premier.

    Pakistan Cracks Down on Free Speech Online

    OWSA Contributor
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    Pakistan Cracks Down on Free Speech Online

    As Pakistan moves forward with its new regulatory framework, the country faces mounting pressure from local and international organisations to reconsider its approach to digital rights and online freedoms.

    In a controversial move that has sparked widespread protests, Pakistan has enacted a new law criminalising online disinformation. The authorities claim the law is necessary to combat fake news on social media. However, critics argue that it is a tool to suppress dissent and curb freedom of expression in a country where independent media has already faced increasing censorship.

    Signed into law by the president on January 29, the legislation has drawn fierce opposition from journalists and human rights activists across the nation of approximately 240 million people. Munizae Jahangir, a television journalist based in Islamabad, decried the law as “a complete clampdown on free speech and the right to a fair trial.”

    Under the new provisions, individuals found guilty of “intentionally disseminating” false or misleading information can face up to three years in prison and fines of up to 2 million rupees ($7,100). The law also mandates the establishment of a new regulatory authority with investigative powers and the ability to adjudicate cases. Critics warn that this authority will have sweeping powers that could be used to target dissenters on flimsy charges.

    ‘Excessive Criminalisation’

    This law is an amendment to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), originally passed in 2017 to address online hate speech, harassment, and cybercrime. However, activists argue that the law has frequently been weaponised to silence journalists and activists. Successive governments have reportedly used PECA to stamp out criticism, particularly against Pakistan’s influential military.

    Ethnic minorities, including Pashtuns and Baluchs, have been disproportionately targeted under previous laws for speaking out against military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Likewise, the opposition Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI) party has faced intensified scrutiny, with numerous members arrested for protesting against the imprisonment of their leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and the military’s alleged interference in politics.

    Farieha Aziz, co-founder of digital rights group Bolo Bhi, condemned the new law, stating, “Everything they were doing in practice has been legalised through this amendment.” She warned that the law further entrenches state censorship, requiring social media companies to register with the new regulator, which now has expanded authority to issue fines and directives and block a broader range of content.

    ‘Black Day’ for Press Freedom

    In the past year, Pakistan has attempted to block virtual private networks (VPNs) while implementing a China-style Internet firewall, leading to frequent outages and slowdowns that have disrupted businesses and everyday communications.

    Babu Ram Pant, deputy South Asia director of Amnesty International, said the new law aligns with the government’s increasing reliance on digital surveillance but lacks essential human rights protections. “This law is in step with the deployment of intrusive digital surveillance technologies but fails to incorporate any safeguards for human rights,” he noted.

    On January 28, journalists across the country marked a “black day” in protest of the law.

    Beh Lih Yi, Asia program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, called the law “deeply concerning,” emphasising that it will significantly limit freedom of speech in Pakistan. Asad Iqbal Butt, head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, echoed these concerns, stating that digital freedoms in the country are already heavily restricted. “This is to the detriment of people’s right to information and connectivity, both of which are integral to a 21st-century democracy.”

    As Pakistan moves forward with its new regulatory framework, the country faces mounting pressure from local and international organisations to reconsider its approach to digital rights and online freedoms. Whether the law will be amended or repealed in response to public outcry remains uncertain, but its impact on free speech in Pakistan is already being felt.

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