“Those nations that fail to adapt to change cannot survive.” This observation is particularly relevant in an age when technology, artificial intelligence, climate change and the global economy are transforming societies. Pakistan’s challenge is not merely to keep pace with the changing world but to understand where it is heading.

Pakistan needs a fundamental shift in education. A system based primarily on memorisation cannot adequately prepare young people for an economy driven by AI, digital skills, creativity and critical thinking. European countries have increasingly aligned education and vocational training with modern economic needs. Pakistan, too, must move from producing degree-holders to producing problem-solvers and innovators.

The same transformation is needed in the economy. Germany demonstrates how an established industrial economy can adapt through automation, advanced manufacturing and technological innovation. Pakistan cannot remain dependent on traditional exports while the global economy moves towards high-value technology and knowledge-based industries. Investment in IT, research, start-ups and export-oriented industries must become national priorities.

Environmental challenges also demand a change in direction. Denmark and other European countries have invested heavily in renewable energy and sustainable development. Facing growing pressures on water, agriculture and energy, Pakistan cannot treat climate change as a distant problem. Solar energy, efficient water management and climate-resilient infrastructure must become integral to national planning.

Estonia offers another valuable lesson. Its digital governance model demonstrates how technology can make public services more accessible and efficient. Pakistan also needs to move beyond lengthy paperwork and conventional bureaucracy towards transparent, integrated and citizen-friendly digital services.

The most important lesson is that we must not simply change; we must develop the capacity to continuously learn and adapt.

The question is not whether Pakistan should change, but whether it can afford not to. History shows that nations decline not merely because they lack resources, but because they fail to recognise that the world around them has changed.

Pakistan does not need to imitate Europe; it needs to learn from societies that understand the value of adaptation. The future will belong to those capable of learning, adapting and transforming themselves. The question is: are we changing in the right direction?

MUHAMMAD AHMAD MUZAKKI,

Wah Cantt.

The Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) intensified crackdown on illicit cigarette manufacturing is a welcome step towards protecting government revenue, improving tax compliance and creating a level playing field for legitimate businesses.

The illicit cigarette trade is estimated to account for more than 50% of the market, causing annual economic losses of over Rs300 billion. Bringing a greater share of this market into the formal tax system could generate significant revenue while strengthening compliance.

In a recent operation in Chakwal, FBR teams sealed a clandestine cigarette manufacturing facility and seized around 12,600 kilogrammes of raw tobacco, along with unstamped cigarettes, machinery and other materials. The operation had an estimated economic impact of Rs211 million.

Such actions demonstrate the importance of sustained enforcement. The FBR should maintain this momentum through intelligence-led operations to curb illicit manufacturing, protect compliant businesses and safeguard government revenue.

USAMA GHULAM RASOOL,

Karachi.