Category: WORLD

Washington, Aug 19 (IANS) European leaders arrived at the White House on Monday to show support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump, where he may face pressure to end the war with Russia on terms favourable to Moscow.

The leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and NATO were in Washington in solidarity with Ukraine and also to push for strong security guarantees in any post-war settlement.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was the first leader to arrive on the White House grounds on Monday, followed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and then British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They were all greeted by Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley.

Trump is pressing for a quick end to Europe’s deadliest war in 80 years, and Kyiv and its allies worry he could seek to force an agreement on Russia’s terms after the President rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.

Zelensky is due to meet with Trump at 1:15 p.m. EDT in the Oval Office, where he last received a dressing-down from Trump during a disastrous visit in February.

The European leaders will meet with Trump afterwards in the White House’s East Room at 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT), according to the White House.

Such a high-level gathering at the White House on such short notice appears to be unprecedented in recent times.

Outside the White House on Monday, several Ukrainian supporters gathered on the sidewalk as Ukrainian President prepared to meet with President Donald Trump.

People waved Ukrainian flags and held signs in support of Ukraine and against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war. One sign carried a warning: “DO NOT TRUST RUSSIA! STOP PUTIN!”

Someone else carried a large banner that read: “WHAT IF FRANCE PULLED BACK AID FROM AMERICA? WOULD WE BE CELEBRATING 4TH OF JULY?”

Zelensky said the goal of Monday’s meeting with US President Trump is a “reliable and lasting peace” for his country and all of Europe.

He said on X that the US, Europe and others must put pressure on Russia’s President, saying no one should expect Vladimir Putin to voluntarily abandon aggression and new attempts at conquest.

Zelensky added that he and European allies have coordinated their positions ahead of the meeting with Trump.

Russian attacks overnight on Ukrainian cities killed at least 10 people, in what Zelensky called a “cynical” effort to undermine talks.

“Russia can only be forced into peace through strength, and President Trump has that strength,” Zelensky wrote on social media after an earlier meeting with the US special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.

Trump has rejected accusations that the Alaska summit had been a win for Putin, who has been indicted as a war criminal by the International Criminal Court and diplomatically isolated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

“I know exactly what I’m doing, and I don’t need the advice of people who have been working on all of these conflicts for years, and were never able to do a thing to stop them,” Trump wrote on social media.

Trump’s team has said there will have to be compromises on both sides to end the conflict.

But the President himself has put the burden on Zelensky to end the war, saying Ukraine should give up hopes of getting back Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, or of joining the NATO military alliance.

Zelensky “can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,” Trump said on social media.

The Ukrainian President has already all but rejected the outline of Putin’s proposals from the Alaska meeting. Those include handing over the remaining quarter of its eastern Donetsk region, which is largely controlled by Russia. Ukrainian forces are deeply dug into the region, whose towns and hills serve as a crucial defensive zone to stymie Russian attacks.

Any changes to Ukraine’s territory would have to be approved by a referendum.

Zelensky is also seeking an immediate ceasefire to conduct deeper peace talks. Trump previously backed that idea but reversed course after the summit with Putin and indicated support for Russia’s favoured approach of negotiating a comprehensive deal while fighting rumbles on.

Ukraine and its allies have taken heart from some developments, including Trump’s apparent willingness to provide post-settlement security guarantees for Ukraine. A German government spokesperson said on Monday that European leaders would seek more details on that in the talks in Washington.

The war, which began with a full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, has killed or wounded more than a million people from both sides, including thousands of mostly Ukrainian civilians, according to analysts, and destroyed wide swaths of the country.

On the battlefield, Russia has been slowly grinding forward, pressing its advantages in men and firepower. Putin says he is ready to continue fighting until his military objectives are achieved.

–IANS

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Washington, Aug 18 (IANS) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared for his high-profile meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday wearing a black jacket, but stopped short of wearing a full suit and tie.

Earlier, a European official told CNN that Zelensky’s choice of attire had been a topic of conversation between US and Ukrainian officials ahead of Monday’s talks at the White House.

The official said the Trump administration had suggested that Zelensky should not arrive wearing his usual military attire.

Zelensky’s attire became a lightning rod during his disastrous Oval Office meeting with Trump in February.

When he welcomed the Ukrainian leader to the White House, Trump sarcastically quipped, “He’s all dressed up today.”

During that meeting, a reporter asked Zelensky: “Why don’t you wear a suit? You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit. Do you own a suit? A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the dignity of this office,” according to the BBC.

Zelensky told the reporter what he has said since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022: that he will wear his military garb until there is peace in Ukraine.

Treading a middle path between a full suit and his usual attire, Zelensky arrived at the White House on Monday wearing a black shirt and black jacket.

It appeared to be the same, more formal outfit he wore to the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican in April, and to the NATO summit in the Netherlands in June.

Earlier, the White House had inquired whether Zelensky planned to wear a suit for the Oval Office meeting, which will also include several European leaders.

Zelensky headed to a high stakes meeting with Trump on Monday, backed by a phalanx of European leaders, in hopes of bridging a growing gulf with his US counterpart on a peace deal with Russia.

Trump is pushing Ukraine to make major concessions following his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week, saying Kyiv must give up Crimea and abandon its NATO ambitions. Those are two of Moscow’s top demands.

But Zelensky, who huddled with the Europeans before they all went to the White House to meet Trump, urged Trump to bring “peace through strength” against Russia and stressed the need for US security guarantees.

Trump and Zelensky will first meet one-on-one in the Oval Office — with all eyes on whether there will be a repeat of the astonishing scenes in February when the US President and his deputy J.D. Vance publicly berated the Ukrainian.

Trump, 79, said it was a “big day at the White House” and appeared to be in a combative mood, churning out a string of social media posts.

“I know exactly what I’m doing,” the US President said on his Truth Social network.

“And I don’t need the advice of people who have been working on all of these conflicts for years, and were never able to do a thing to stop them.”

Trump will later meet separately with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Finland, as well as NATO Chief Mark Rutte and European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 18 (IANS) Pakistan’s massive $5 billion investment in infrastructure to import LNG from Qatar on the basis of a long-term contract has turned out to be huge liability for the country as there is now a mismatch between demand and supply due to the high cost of the natural gas, according to a report in the country’s largest English daily, The News International.

Pakistan embarked on a large-scale LNG-based energy initiative beginning in 2014, under which construction of four major RLNG plants, port facilities and a pipeline network for supplying gas to consumers was carried out. A decade down the line, this has proved to be a massive fiasco.

The report in Pakistan’s prominent newspaper highlights that “there is a disconnect between the Power Division and the Petroleum Division. Rather than delivering energy security, this ambitious initiative has resulted in a costly mismatch between supply and demand and is now a multi-billion-dollar drag on Pakistan’s economy.”

The report points out that the government overcommitted to ‘take-or-pay’ contracts without securing demand guarantees and failed to anticipate global LNG price volatility and underestimated the risks of market exposure.

According to it, to supply fuel for the LNG power plants, Pakistan signed two long-term LNG contracts with Qatar, both backed by sovereign ‘Take-or-Pay’ guarantees. The first agreement, signed in 2016, secured 3.75 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) for 15 years at 13.37 per cent of Brent, with an estimated cost between $16 billion and $25 billion. The second deal, signed in 2021, added 3 mtpa for 10 years at 10.2 per cent of Brent, costing an additional $10 to $15 billion. Together, these contracts represent a financial commitment of approximately $26 billion to $40 billion.

In an ambitious bid to address chronic power shortages, Pakistan embarked on a large-scale LNG-based energy initiative beginning in 2014. This multi-billion-dollar effort included the planning and construction of four major RLNG power plants – Haveli Bahadur Shah, Balloki, Bhikki and Nandipur – as well as the launch of the country’s first LNG import terminal.

Based on industry benchmarks for combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants and partial privatisation data, the total cost of the four LNG power plants is estimated to be between $3.5 billion and $5.5 billion. A reasonable midpoint estimate would be approximately $4.5 billion, according to the report.

In 2014, Engro Elengy Terminal – Pakistan’s first LNG terminal – was launched. Industry estimates place the cost of the jetty and short pipeline between $50 million and $100 million. Including the FSRU and associated infrastructure, the total cost is likely in the range of $150 million to $250 million.

The Pakistan GasPort Consortium (PGPC) Terminal – Pakistan’s second LNG terminal – has a designed capacity of 600 mmcfd. The project represents an investment of approximately $500 million, covering the cost of the jetty, marine works, a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), and pipeline infrastructure connecting the terminal to the national gas grid.

In addition to the terminals, a billion-dollar pipeline infrastructure was developed to transport RLNG from Port Qasim in Karachi to four RLNG power plants in Punjab. This system began with a 24 km pipeline from the Engro terminal and a 14 km pipeline from the GasPort terminal. Both were integrated into a significantly upgraded SNGPL network, which stretches roughly 1,100 km to Punjab. The total cost of this transmission network is estimated between $800 million and $1 billion, the report explains.

–IANS

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Quetta, Aug 18 (IANS) A leading human rights organisation on Monday highlighted the worsening crisis in Balochistan, drawing attention to a surge in enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings committed by Pakistani forces across the province.

Paank, the Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department, mentioned that in July, 96 cases of enforced disappearances were recorded, with 40 victims later released after suffering severe physical and psychological torture. Additionally, 19 people were extrajudicially killed by Pakistani forces in the same month.

The monthly report of the rights body revealed that in July, multiple cases of enforced disappearances and illegal detentions were reported across 14 districts of Balochistan, in Karachi city of Sindh province, and Dera Ghazi Khan district of Punjab province.

It stated that among the districts in Balochistan, Kech recorded 29 cases and Quetta 17 cases, the most affected with the highest number of incidents of forcibly disappeared people.

Raising concern on the rising human rights abuses, Paank mentioned the arbitrary prosecution of an eight-year-old child Shoaib Khalid from Turbat district in Balochistan. It added that based on a FIR lodged against him, the child was produced before Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Court on July 31 on alleged charges of terrorism related to sharing a video on social media. The video allegedly contained a speech by Baloch rights activist Gulzar Dost, who was arrested and later released on bail for advocating better education, health, and job facilities in the region.

“Charging a minor for a social media post is a gross violation of human rights and an attempt to silence the Baloch community’s right to free expression,” said the rights body

Paank condemned the consistent use of arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings by Pakistani forces in Balochistan, stating that it is not only a gross violation of human rights but a direct attack on the region’s civil population. These actions, the rights body asserted, demand international attention, accountability, and immediate intervention.

The rights body on Monday also lashed out at Pakistani authorities for the public screening of a purported “confession” by Baloch scholar Usman Qazi. It alleged that his statement was obtained under duress while he was denied access to legal counsel and a fair trial.

Qazi, a PhD holder and Assistant Professor at BUITEMS University, along with his younger brother Jibran Ahmed, were taken into custody by the Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in the early hours of August 12 during a raid on their home in Afnan Town, of the provincial capital Quetta.

“Coerced confessions and prejudicial, state-run smear campaigns violate the prohibition on torture and the right to a fair trial. We reiterate his presumption of innocence and call for immediate access to lawyers, an independent investigation into his enforced disappearance, and accountability for officials responsible,” Paank noted.

–IANS

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Hanoi, Aug 18 (IANS) Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) T V Ravichandran extended warm greetings from India while participating in the 80th anniversary celebrations of Vietnam’s People’s Public Security Force Day in Hanoi on Monday. He also held discussions with the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security on bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including security, emerging technologies, and other shared areas of interest.

“India’s Deputy National Security Advisor participated in the 80th anniversary celebrations of People’s Public Security Day of Vietnam and conveyed warm greetings from India on the occasion. He held a bilateral meeting with the Deputy Minister of Public Security on cooperation in the field of security, particularly cyber-security, emerging technologies, and other areas of mutual interest,” Embassy of India in Hanoi posted on X.

Following the success of the August Revolution of 1945 against the colonial forces and the Vietnamese monarchy, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was established, marking a new era of independence, freedom, and socialism. To safeguard the achievements of the revolution and build a country on democratic values, the Vietnam People’s Public Security Force was officially established on August 19, 1945.

According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, on behalf of all the leaders and employees of the ministry, Deputy Minister Pham The Tung welcomed Ravichandran to Vietnam, emphasising that the visit provides an opportunity to enhance the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and India, a trusted friend, loyal, and rich in cooperation.

Highlighting some outstanding results following the 3rd Deputy Ministers-Indian Security Dialogue Conference in India in December 2024, Deputy Minister Tung stated that the Ministry of Public Security has recruited and sent officials and students to pursue doctoral scholarships, and bachelor’s in information technology and computer science in India.

In the days ahead, to further promote cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and Indian partners, including the National Security Council, the Deputy Minister requested the Indian side to send a delegation to Vietnam to discuss more in-depth technical issues related to cyber security and the application of information technology in security; as well as advance the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of security.

Emphasising the potential for cooperation between the two sides in the field of security, Deputy National Security Advisor Ravichandran expressed hope that the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam would continue to promote specific and practical cooperation activities with India, contributing to ensuring national security, social order and safety in both countries, while building a peaceful, stable and developed Asia-Pacific region.

–IANS

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Islamabad, Aug 18 (IANS) A leading minority group on Monday condemned the violence against religious minorities in Pakistan, highlighting the recent torching of two Ahmadiyya places of worship by a mob led by leaders of the radical Islamist party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP).

The Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM) mentioned that on the occasion of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, extremists turned the country’s streets into battlegrounds of hate. In Faisalabad district of Punjab province, two Ahmadiyya places of worship were set ablaze by the mob serving as an ugly reminder that in Pakistan, religious freedom remains an illusion.

Citing police reports, the rights body revealed that more than 300 attackers, armed with rods and bricks, descended on Ahmadiyya worshippers under the cover of Independence Day processions in the Dijkot area.

The VOPM highlighted that their main target was the two mosques built decades before Pakistan criminalized Ahmadiyya worship in 1984. They tore down minarets, delivered fiery hate speeches, and torched the buildings while hurling stones at nearby Ahmadiyya homes.

The rights body stressed that the violent incident left families, including women and children terrorised, while several sustained injuries.

According to the VOPM, the mob was reportedly led by TLP ticket-holder Hafiz Rafaqat, exposing once again how mainstream extremist groups openly incite violence under political and religious banners. It stated that TLP, notorious for its violent street power, enjoys immunity in Pakistan’s political and judicial system while minorities pay the price.

“This was no spontaneous riot — it was organised terrorism, with cases now registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 and multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. Yet, history shows such cases rarely lead to real accountability. Arrests are made, but justice seldom follows, as extremist groups continue to act as untouchable power brokers,” read a statement issued by VOPM.

The rights body emphasised that the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had, a day before the violent incident, warned about rising hate speech from clerics against non-Muslims. However, it said the warning was ignored and the Pakistani police response was reactionary, not preventive.

Although 25 arrests were made, the VOPM noted that the police officials refused to confirm whether those detained included the nominated suspects.

“The silence of Faisalabad’s police chief further reflects the institutional reluctance to confront extremism head-on,” said the rights body.

Raising concern, the VOPM stressed that this is not an isolated incident but is part of a systemic, decades-long campaign against Ahmadiyyas and other minorities in Pakistan.

“From discriminatory laws to mob violence, the Pakistani state has allowed extremist ideologies to flourish unchecked. Every time the state bends to clerical power, it emboldens groups like TLP to dictate who belongs in the ‘Islamic Republic’ and who does not,” the VOPM stated.

If Pakistan wants to have any credibility as a modern nation, the rights body demanded, then the authorities must crush extremist groups like TLP rather than appeasing them. Additionally, the VOPM called on to enforce Supreme Court rulings against hate speech and mob violence and also protect minorities as equal citizens, not “sacrificial pawns in a theocratic power game”.

–IANS

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Ottawa, Aug 18 (IANS) Canada faces a nexus of gang-driven extortion and Khalistani extremism, threatening public safety, community trust, and bilateral ties with India, a report cited on Monday.

Recently, Surrey’s ‘Kaps Cafe’ restaurant, owned by Indian comedian Kapil Sharma and his wife Ginni Chatrath, was riddled with bullets for the second time in less than a month. On August 7, attackers fired at least 25 rounds into the cafe and left behind a Molotov cocktail-like device (crude bomb). The brazen daylight attack came just weeks after a similar shooting on July 10, shortly after the cafe opened, a report in ‘Khalsa Vox’ mentioned.

“The Kap’s Cafe attacks were allegedly claimed by members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal organisation notorious in India for extortion and contract killings. Its reach into Canada, aided by encrypted apps and diaspora networks, demonstrates how seamlessly Indian gangs have globalised their operations,” the report highlighted.

“What complicates this crisis further is the ideological layer of Khalistani extremism. While the August 7 attack bore the Bishnoi gang’s fingerprints, the July 10 assault was claimed on social media by Harjit Singh Laddi, an alleged Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) fugitive,” it added.

The report mentioned that the attacks in Surrey are not isolated crimes, but reflect a broader crisis where gangsters, terrorists, and ideological extremists intersect, undermining Canada’s security and social harmony.

It emphasised that Ottawa cannot simply treat this as a local law enforcement matter and must respond decisively by implementing stronger laws against transnational gangs. Additionally, the report stressed that the Canadian authorities must establish closer intelligence-sharing with India and remain committed to addressing Khalistani extremism without political hesitation.

According to the report, though the political response has been rhetorically strong, it has not yielded any concrete results. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has urged Ottawa to designate the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organisation, asserting that extortion and targetted shootings constitute “economic terrorism”. Similar demands have been made by Canadian leaders in British Columbia, Alberta, and Brampton.

Canada, however, the report stated, remains cautious. It added that designating the Bishnoi gang a terror outfit would carry significant legal and diplomatic effects, allowing authorities to freeze assets and increase surveillance. Such a move would support India’s longstanding demand for strong measures against Khalistani extremists taking refuge in Canada.

“For too long, Canada has downplayed this growing nexus. The bullets fired into Kap’s Cafe should be a wake-up call: this is no longer just about extortion — it is about safeguarding Canada’s credibility, safety, and unity,” the report noted.

–IANS

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Abuja, Aug 18 (IANS) At least 10 bodies have been recovered while dozens of others are still missing after a passenger boat carrying about 50 people capsized in Nigeria’s northern state of Sokoto, local authorities said Monday.

Aminu Liman Bodinga, head of the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, told Xinhua news agency via telephone that at least 10 people had been rescued following the mishap on Sunday afternoon in the Goronyo local government area.

The wooden boat was heading to a local market in Goronyo when the tragedy occurred. “This might have been caused by overloading,” Bodinga said, citing preliminary investigation, Xinhua reported.

Late Sunday, the National Emergency Management Agency said in a statement that more than 40 people were missing. Rescuers, including local divers and volunteers, have joined the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

Boat accidents are common in Nigeria, often due to overloading, poor safety practices, and bad weather.

Earlier in May, nine people died, one was missing, and 70 were injured after four tourist boats capsized due to sudden gales on a river in Qianxi, southwest China’s Guizhou province, according to state media.

A total of 84 people fell into the water following the accident. Speaking to Chinese media Red Star News, tourists who were on-site during the accident said that there was a sudden rainstorm accompanied by hail, thunder, and strong winds.

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged all-out efforts to search for those who fell into the water and treat the injured after the boats capsized.

The Chinese provincial authorities have deployed nearly 500 emergency responders, including police, firefighters, and medical personnel, to coordinate rescue efforts.

The other passengers on the boat reported a sudden shift in the weather, featuring intense rainfall and a fog hovering over the water’s surface.

Earlier in December, eight people died after a boat capsized in Guizhou province.

–IANS

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Stockholm, Aug 18 (IANS) The expansion of the Tibet military region demonstrates a critical intersection of geopolitical strategy and environment preservation, causing complex challenges for regional security and global climate patterns, a report detailed on Monday.

Current approaches to military development in Tibet are causing environmental changes that extend far beyond the immediate footprint of military activities. These changes threaten local ecosystems and regional climate stability and water security of people residing downstream, Stockholm-based research and policy organisation, Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) said in its report.

“Chinese military presence in Tibet has evolved from an initial force deployment in the 1950s to a sophisticated military network fully integrated into China’s national defence strategy, and China’s overall economic structure. According to assessments by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in 2023, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) maintains an estimated force of 70,000-120,000 troops across the Tibetan Plateau, with approximately 40,000-50,000 troops in the Tibet Military District itself. These forces are distributed among major military installations and forward operating bases strategically positioned along border areas and key transportation routes,” the report mentioned.

The military command structure in Tibet has undergone significant reorganisation as part of China’s military reforms. In the report, ISDP stated, “The distribution of military facilities across Tibet reflects both defensive posturing and power projection capabilities. Satellite imagery analysis by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies has documented significant military facilities across the plateau, each one with potential environmental impact.”

According to the report, the military infrastructure’s has had direct and measurable environmental consequences for Tibet’s fragile ecosystem. The report stated, “The Tibetan Plateau contains approximately 1.06 million sq. km of permafrost, representing the world’s largest high altitude permafrost region, and 40 per cent of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.26 This permafrost serves as a critical carbon sink and regulator of hydrological systems.”

Field studies carried out in areas of military development show permafrost degradation with the depth of the active layer increasing due to a rise of the ground temperature between 0.1 and 0.5 degrees Celsius annually over the past 30 years, and no consideration has been taken for areas with significant military construction. The report stated, “This degradation not only affects local ecosystems but contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through the release of previously sequestered carbon.”

According to the ISDP report, addressing these challenges will need fundamental reconsideration of how military infrastructure is designed, constructed, and operated in this sensitive environment. The report has called for prioritising ecological preservation in military planning, especially in glacier margins and stable permafrost zones.

“Prioritise ecological preservation in military planning, particularly in glacier margins and stable permafrost zones. Environmental sensitivity mapping has identified roughly 35,000 sq. km of highly vulnerable terrain that should be excluded from intensive military use. Enforce stricter environmental standards for military construction, including mandatory setbacks from sensitive water sources, bans on disruptive activities in permafrost areas, and full ecological restoration after military exercises. Regular, independent environmental impact assessments should be mandated. Invest in environmentally sustainable military infrastructure, such as advanced waste treatment, energy-efficient facilities, and site-specific permafrost protection systems to reduce ecological damage,” the report detailed.

“Acknowledge the broader implications of militarization in high-altitude environments. Tibet’s environmental stability—particularly its role in Asian water security—depends on balancing military expansion with ecosystem preservation. Recent environmental initiatives show progress, but the scale and speed of development remain concerning. Enhance transparency and cooperation with national and international NGOs. Cross-border environmental impacts demand not only greater openness but also shared solutions and the exchange of best practices,” the ISDP added.

–IANS

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Islamabad, Aug 18 (IANS) Increase in Pakistan’s imports of second-hand clothing depicts the everyday struggles of the common man and demonstrates an economic system that has failed to protect its most vulnerable, a report has revealed.

Pakistan imported 1.137 million tonnes of used clothing worth USD 511 million in the last fiscal year. The statistics surpasses the previous high of 990,266 tonnes worth USD 434 million recorded in FY24. “The increase highlights a growing dependence on second-hand apparel — not out of preference, but out of necessity,” an editorial in Pakistan Observer stated.

These figures show how a significant number of Pakistanis can no longer purchase new, locally made clothes, let alone branded apparel. The once-humble landa bazaars popular for selling used clothes has become important shopping place for millions of people. Earlier, budget conscious people used to shop from these markets. However, these markets are now becoming a last stop for families wanting to buy clothes.

According to the latest report by the World Bank, nearly 45 per cent people of Pakistan now live below the poverty line. These number showcase not just a widening income gap, but a deeper socioeconomic strain that is compelling people to cut back on even the most basic needs.

The Pakistan Observer stated, “At a time when the government speaks of macroeconomic stability and hopeful indicators, the benefits of it must trickle down to the common man — who is grappling with high grocery prices and crippling utility bills. The unprecedented import of second-hand garments is not merely a matter of consumer behavior — it is an indictment of an economic system that has failed to protect its most vulnerable. It reflects a desperate attempt by families to maintain basic dignity in the face of growing hardship.”

According to the editorial, Pakistan needs to introduce policies towards easing the burden on the lower and middle-income groups, including targetted subsidies, genuine inflation control, improved access to basic services and job creation. “Until then, the landa bazaars will remain crowded — not by choice, but by compulsion. And every bargain struck in these markets will serve as a quiet but powerful reminder of the urgency with which Pakistan’s economic recovery must be made inclusive and meaningful for all,” it concluded.

–IANS

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