APROPOS the opinion piece ‘The Bride Hunt’ (Oct 10). Rafia Zakaria brilliantly talks about the hypocritical, duplicitous, patriarchal dictations and prerogatives of men. Who are these men to exercise such unfettered powers?

When looking for a bride I want to ask if these men are buying a commodity in a supermarket? Do they select a woman at their discretion and pay according to their whims and wishes? Does the woman have no likes or dislikes?

We claim to be gifted with unique and idiosyncratic senses and features that distinguish us from other living things but we don’t behave that way.

This abhorrent practice is common in orthodox societies where women have no say in selecting their future partners and end up suffering at the hands of their elders.

Until and unless women are respected and given equal rights, they will suffer at the hands of patriarchy.

Shahid Ali
Buner

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2018