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Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
From forerunner to far-runner
Listen to article As Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) marks 75 years of service with a ceremonial celebration at the Karachi Golf Club on 17 June 2025, it is not only a time to recognise longevity, but to reflect critically on what sustains corporate institutions — and what imperils them. Corporate history is filled with tales of giants that faltered. The East India Company, established in 1600, grew to dominate trade across Asia. For over two centuries, it enjoyed extraordinary power — military, economic and political. But in the aftermath of the Indian Mutiny of 1857, it was dissolved by the British Crown. A potent symbol of unchecked expansion, its fate remains a cautionary tale of what happens when institutions outgrow accountability. A more recent and instructive example is the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) of Canada. Founded in 1670, HBC was one of the oldest and most iconic companies in North America. Originally created as a fur trading business, it evolved into a vast retail empire, owning department stores, land holdings and financial interests. For over three and a half centuries, it adapted to changing markets and consumer needs. But cracks began to show in the early 21st century. Faced with mounting digital competition, shifting shopping behaviours and strategic indecision, HBC failed to reinvent itself fast enough. After years of losses and restructuring, the company filed for creditor protection in March 2025 and officially ceased operations in June. The fall of HBC underscores a central truth: legacy cannot be taken for granted. Even the most enduring companies must remain rooted in operational logic and responsive to change. This brings us to a decision that is currently casting a shadow over PPL's otherwise commendable milestone — the reported plan to relocate its head office from Karachi to Islamabad. This move raises serious concerns not only about efficiency but also about motive. PPL's operational backbone lies in Sindh and Balochistan. Its major gas fields - Sui, Kandhkot, Mazarani and many others - are located in these provinces. The company's ventures in lead, zinc and iron ore are Balochistan-based. Bolan Mining Enterprises, a 50:50 joint venture with the Government of Balochistan, produces barite from Khuzdar and is headquartered in Quetta. Most technical and operational coordination, along with joint ventures and field logistics, are centred in the southern region of the country. Above all, PPL's 8.33% share in Reko Diq gold mine, a game changer for the Company, is also situated in Balochistan. Thus, a shift to Islamabad appears neither administratively necessary nor economically sound. Rather, it seems to reflect parochial considerations, disconnected from ground realities. Such a move risks weakening the company's alignment with its core operations and alienating the very regions that support its business. Strategically, it would place management further away from operational hubs, complicate coordination and increase costs — without any clear upside. Symbolically, it risks diminishing Karachi's historic role as a corporate and industrial hub, and more critically, sending the wrong message about national cohesion and balanced development. At a time when PPL should be consolidating its position, investing in exploration and preparing for energy transition challenges, such a move seems both untimely and unwise. It is hoped that the Petroleum Minister, known for his energy and intellect, will examine this matter closely. Pragmatism, not symbolism, must guide policy. The story of corporate survival is rarely about grandeur — it is about good judgment. Hudson's Bay did not fall overnight. It fell by drifting away from its strengths and delaying key decisions. PPL has the experience and legacy to endure — but only if it avoids complacency and stays connected to its operational roots. Longevity in business is not just about staying alive — it is about staying relevant. Let us hope PPL chooses wisely as it steps into its next quarter century. My thoughts are best reflected in these verses by Iftikhar Arif: Yeh kya keh khaak huwai hum jahan wahin kay nahin; Jo hum yahan kay nahin hain to phir kahin kay nahin Wafa sarisht mai hoti to samnay aati; Woh kya falak sai nibhain gai jo zameen kay nahin
Express Tribune
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt declares Baloch terror groups, organizations as ‘Fitna al Hindustan'
The federal government on Saturday ordered all state institutions to refer to militant groups operating in its restive Balochistan province as 'Fitna al Hindustan', accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through these insurgents. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior on Saturday, the move stems from 'the involvement of some organizations and groups in terrorist activities in Balochistan, which are detrimental to Islamic faith, the sovereignty of Pakistan, and its customary traditions.' The notification further stated that the new designation is intended to reflect 'the true nature and ideology' of these groups and their 'nefarious designs' allegedly sponsored by India. Read more: Pakistan labels TTP as 'Fitna al-Khawarij' to expose its true ideology 'All government entities are directed to start the above practice immediately,' the notification said, underscoring a concerted effort to reframe the narrative around insurgent violence in the province. The announcement came as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused India of escalating indirect aggression after what he described as its defeat in a recent security operation dubbed 'Marka-e-Haq'. Accuding India of intensifying a proxy terrorism campaign in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, he said, 'India, after suffering strategic setbacks, has resorted to indirect aggression'. 'But Pakistan will thwart all such nefarious designs and stand resolute against Fitna al Hindustan and its proxies.' A day earlier, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had also addressed the ongoing unrest in Balochistan, stating that insurgent groups there were not indigenous but rather acting on behalf of foreign interests. 'These terrorists are not Baloch. They are agents of disruption sponsored by India,' the army chief said, reiterating the armed forces' stance that separatist violence in the province is externally instigated. Also read: Won't accept India's hegemony: COAS The government's decision to adopt a new label for Balochistan-based insurgents mirrors a similar move last year, when the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was officially designated 'Fitna al-Khawarij'. At that time, the Ministry of Interior said the term 'Khariji' was chosen to expose what it described as the TTP's misrepresentation of Islam.
India Today
09-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Baloch rebels see opportunity in Pakistan's adversity, hoist flags of liberation
While Pakistan is busy launching futile drone and missile attacks on Indian civilians and military sites across its eastern front, Baloch rebels have stepped up their offensive against Pakistani security forces. At least three groups of Baloch fighters have seized control of parts of its western province, Balochistan. The developments come amid fighting between several rebel groups and Pakistani forces escalating and calls for Balochistan's independence growing louder. Images and videos of Baloch people hoisting their flags after pulling down Pakistan's are all over social pro-independence groups carried out coordinated attacks on Pakistani security forces and their assets swept across Balochistan on Thursday, according to news reports and posts from credible attacks on the Pakistani regime in Balochistan have gained momentum in the last week. The attacks come even as the Islamabad-Rawalpindi establishment is focused on reacting to India's strike on terror camps as part of Operation Sindoor. The Baloch groups have intensified to such an extent that the forces of the Pakistani security forces faced at least four attacks by "unidentified armed assailants" in the provincial capital of Quetta on Thursday. Explosions and intense gunfire were reported across Quetta, according to Balochistan-based Radio Zrumbesh Thursday, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) rebels targeted "the Pakistani Army and its collaborators in six separate attacks in Kech, Mastung and Kachi", according to Radio Zrumbesh people have started hoisting their own flags and taking down Pakistani flags. Time for the world to pull back their diplomatic missions from Pakistan and shift them into the newly emerging country of Balochistan. Farewell to Pakistan, welcome to Balochistan," Baloch writer Mir Yar Baloch posted on spate of attacks comes days after former Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that Pakistan's federal government and army were losing control over the restive province of Balochistan, especially after said senior government officials and ministers couldn't move around in Balochistan without security escorts. Abbasi also challenged the narrative of Army Chief Asim Munir regarding the scale of rebellion in REBELS RAMP UP ATTACKS ON PAK ARMYOn Thursday, the BLA fighters targeted a bomb disposal squad of the Pakistani army in Dashtuk, Kech District, using a remote-controlled IED, killing one soldier on the a separate incident, BLA fighters launched an attack on a Pakistani army outpost in Katgan, also in Kech, using automatic weapons, reportedly killing some security personnel, Balochistan-based journalist Bahot Baluch wrote on X, citing Jeeyand Baloch, the BLA IED blasts on the Pakistani army and its supply vehicles took place in Zamuran's Sah Dem area, which claimed several lives, according to Bahot attacks on Thursday followed several attacks on Wednesday where Pakistan's critical infrastructure like gas pipelines and resource transport vehicles came under rebel attack. Three pro-independence Baloch armed groups claimed responsibility for these incidents, reported The Balochistan Wednesday, two IED attacks hit Pakistani security forces and a military supply vehicle in Zamuran in Balochistan's Kech district, the Post reported writer Mir Yar Baloch also claimed that the rebels have attacked Pakistan's gas fields in Dera Bugti, an area where over 100 gas wells, operated by the state-owned Pakistan Petroleum Limited, are located."A possible announcement should soon be done as the collapse of the terrorist Pakistan is near. We have claimed our independence, and we request India to allow Balochistan's official office, and embassy in Delhi," Mir Yar Baloch wrote on the Pakistani army chief, Asim Munir, has claimed that the "unrest" in Balochistan is the result of just 1,500 people, the government in Islamabad has conveniently blamed the Indian government for the home-grown, decades-long resistance in the Balochistan is rich in natural resources, the Islamabad-Rawalpindi combination has for decades extracted the mineral wealth, giving nothing in return to the local Baloch people. While Balochistan has seen episodes of the fight for liberation, this is one of the longest-running resistances in recent Pakistan PM Abbasi, who raised the alarm about the situation in Balochistan, said, "This is not a breakdown in law and order. It is a sign of the state's fading authority".Abbasi's also challenged Munir's absurd assertion on Balochistan, saying, "whatever Asim Munir may say is his opinion, I am only stating what I saw".The former prime minister's remarks came on May May 6, as if to prove him right, the BLA killed 14 army personnel of the Pakistan army in two separate attacks in Balochistan's Bolan and Kech, news agency ANI THIS BALOCHISTAN UPRISING AGAINST PAKISTAN, CHINA IS DIFFERENTThe people of Balochistan, since Pakistan went back on its words and occupied it in 1948, have faced economic marginalisation, resource exploitation, and human rights Pakistan's largest province by area and mineral-rich yet least populated, has been plagued by a decades-long armed and peaceful movements by ethnic Baloch people over economic marginalisation, resource exploitation, and human rights federal government, its powerful army, and Chinese assets are facing the fiercest wave of resistance yet from the Baloch rebel groups. The resistance, led by the BLA, has intensified attacks on Pakistani security forces and infrastructure built by the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)'s China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).The Pakistani military has responded with heavy-handed tactics, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial not just armed groups resisting the Pakistani state. Women like Mahrang Baloch are at the forefront of a peaceful movement, challenging the Pakistani army's forced disappearances of Baloch men, with courage and herself, is now in Baloch women have picked up arms and are turning into suicide attacks by Baloch armed rebel groups have dealt massive damage to the Pakistani apparatus, and Chinese assets, in the 2024, Pakistan's civil and military security forces witnessed a 40% increase in casualties (383) in Balochistan compared to 2023, according to the South Asia Terrorism the Baloch rebels, knowing that Pakistan is distracted after Operation Sindoor, have intensified their attacks on the Pakistani forces, including in Quetta, and hoisted flags of Watch
Express Tribune
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Tarar rejects Indian media's claims over alleged threats to ICC Champions Trophy
Listen to article Information Minister Attaullah Tarar strongly rebutted Indian media reports alleging a terror threat to foreign guests attending the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan. Speaking in an interview on a private news channel on Monday, he stated that Pakistan was hosting the event 'peacefully and very ably,' dismissing claims made by Indian outlets. Earlier, it was reported that Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau had issued a high alert regarding a potential plot by covert terror groups to abduct foreign guests attending the tournament for ransom. The report named several terror outfits, including Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Islamic State, and Balochistan-based groups. It further mentioned that Pakistan's security forces had deployed high-level protection teams to ensure the safety of the players and staff. In response, Tarar denounced the reports as false propaganda intended to harm Pakistan's image and sabotage the successful hosting of the tournament. He accused Indian media of politicising sports and spreading lies to undermine the event. He said, "Pakistan is one of the safest venues, and we have been able to conduct the ICC matches very peacefully and very efficiently." Tarar also criticised India's refusal to tour Pakistan for the tournament, instead opting to play all their matches in Dubai. He suggested that India's campaign against Pakistan's successful hosting of the event stemmed from jealousy and discomfort at the prospect of a major international sports event being held in Pakistan. The minister highlighted the packed stadium at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium during the England vs Australia match last week, praising the positive atmosphere and the presence of international fans. Tarar also refuted claims of low attendance, stating that the reports were fabricated. He concluded by reiterating that Pakistan would continue to host the tournament successfully, rejecting any attempts at spreading harmful propaganda. "India's propaganda will fall flat on its face," he said, higlighting that the ICC Champions Trophy was a victory not just for Pakistan, but for the global sports community.
