TECHNOLOGICAL advancements are considered undeniable features of modernity in relation to mass communication networks and the free market. Defined in such a vague sense, the notion of modernity has long been debated and remains contested to date.

The expeditious expansion of technology with the tendency to manipulate the desires of the vast majority to pursue false ideals and leaving the remaining half alienated and isolated waiting for their turn to get modernised seems to have played the role of a monster, causing irreparable damage to the social, political and moral landscape of society.

Speculations about ‘digital dictatorship’ over ‘intimate selves’ indicate a bigger catastrophe that awaits the human race. Surveillance of citizens through security cameras and GPS tracking is just the tip of the iceberg.

In the recent past, the case of hidden cameras installed in a school turned the attention of higher-ups towards the long-awaited debate of the privacy of students and employees at workplace. This cannot be seen as an isolated incident.

Another major problem of the screen-addicted society is that very few people are aware of the digital rights or safe internet methods. Acts of secret audio or video recording and other spying techniques reflect decaying social and political norms and the moral bankruptcy of the so-called educated segment.

To our dismay, incompetent people backed by vested interests rise to powerful positions within the academic institutions where they control the entire system. Those who resist are tackled with the age-old techniques of red-tapism, manhandling, humiliation, teasing, fake cases, etc.

At times, I wonder if a place where access to basic services is denied, where personal virtual space is compromised, where stealing data and identity is a norm, where holding individuals

hostage in virtual space by suspending social media accounts should at all be called an academic setting. They are internment centres.

Unfortunately, some of our educational institutions are now structured around the philosophy of necropolitics, where competent individuals are disposed of by gatekeepers to serve the dominant order. The future of an entire generation is at stake.

It is about time we envisaged an alternative educational system where the sanctity of academic values should be the top agenda. Forgetting petty departmental interests, imagining real ideological differences and the student-teacher binary can be a way forward.

Besides, in order to promote a healthy culture of research and learning in an academic setting, we should also consider, among other things, increasing women representation in anti-harassment committees, restoring student unions, and setting up anti-bullying committees.

Zarshan Buzdar
Bahawalpur

CASH FLOW: This is with reference to the letter ‘PSO dividend’ (Feb 18). The Pakistan State Oil would like to clarify that a variety of factors are taken into consideration when it comes to announcing dividends besides profitability. PSO’s net trade receivables did rise, but short-term borrowings also increased, putting pressure on cash flows. The financial strain due to mounting receivables, increased inventory and liquidity challenges were significant contributors that led to PSO’s Board of Management not announcing interim dividend.

PSO spokesperson
Karachi

EMPTY PRISONS: The rate at which convicts, including those convicted for murder and other serious crimes, are being released on appeal due to witnesses backtracking on their earlier dispositions on oath, or simply disappearing, it seems all prisons in Pakistan will be empty soon. These empty prisons could be converted into clubs for these people for networking to discuss plans for new activities without worrying about being nabbed.

Moin Mohajir
Karachi

FINANCIAL FRAUD: The decision of the United States to release the funds belonging to Afghanistan by taking away half of them in the name of 9/11 victims is nothing but a financial fraud of international level. This is unacceptable as the people of Afghanistan were not involved in the 9/11 incident. None of those who were implicated in the attacks belonged to Afghanistan. The entire amount of $7 billion should go to the people of Afghanistan. Many in the world have rightly criticised the US for trying to steal the funds.

Nasir Ali Shaikh
Shahdadkot

SOCIAL BIAS: This is with reference to the article ‘Khorana is ours too’ (Jan 15). The prevalent biases in the country are not just on religious basis. One cannot really expect Pakistanis to act like global citizens. The actual challenge for any reformer would be to help the majority be less biased from within and then shape its attitude towards the minority.

Syed Irtiza Haider Bukhari
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2022