Pakistan's
importance in the current escalated struggle against terrorism has
been enhanced by the fact that it has become a frontline state in the
US campaign against terrorism. In the backdrop of formidable economic
challenges the next budget may widen the trade account deficit and
drastic cut in revenue collections. Export orders from USA and EU
either being cancelled or in a hold. International airlines are
suspending their flight operations to Pakistan. The influx of Afghan
refugees is yet another aspect having potentiality of social and
economic risks.
INSURANCE
AND AVIATION
The
Pakistani aviation and insurance industries, which by their very
nature are heavily interlinked globally, as well as the country's
heavy dependence on foreign shipping lines to facilitate its foreign
trade are feeling the pinch of the terrorist attacks in the US on the
one hand and the new-acquired frontline status.
MUSLIMS
IN AMERICA
The
sizeable portion of the US population, its very citizens themselves,
which was made to bear the brunt of the backlash of the terror attacks
in the US on September 11. Muslims across the US, and for that matter
wherever they formed a visible majority across the developed world,
were booed, jeered, reviled, harassed, threatened, attacked and even
murdered in what the press called 'hate crimes.'
