THIS refers to the report “Analysis: One year of Gaza war and impact of Pakistani ‘boycott’” (Oct 7). I am afraid the economic analysis presented was not robust. It argued that the boycott of foreign barnds of fast food and soft drinks in Pakistan would not have an impact because the country’s share was only $1 billion in the global market of $90 billion. The argument missed the very important point that the boycott is a global phenomenon as well.

For example, we, in Switzerland, are also part of the boycott. I have seen similar boycotts in all the Muslim countries that I have travelled for work in the last year. Pakistan is not alone in this campaign, and we should be looking at the global figures, and our contribution to it, to assess its impact.

The message seemed to be that the boycott is pointless. Should this be the message when the interest in the boycott is reportedly waning, and the atrocities being committed in Palestine and Lebanon are actually increasing?

The said analysis sent across a message to give up, which was all the more painful because no alternatives were offered.

Now, there is a pertinent question to raise: are there any other means for Pakistani people to express their solidarity more effectively, like, say, extending the boycott to reject even more products to have an impact?

Finally, such boycotts provide room for the growth of local competitors, which is one of the long-term and effective solutions to the growing sway and power of the multinationals.

As things stand, this seems to be hap-pening in Pakistan, too. To have an effective and balanced approach, the said article could have been more upfront and forceful to present this crucial dimension. However, it merely focussed on spreading it thinly and with counter-arguments.

Rashid S. Kaukab
Geneva, Switzerland

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2024