UNSUITABLE CHAIRS: As I entered the hall in connection with my Balochistan Public Service Commission (BPSC) examination, I was taken aback to see rows of chairs without desks or writing boards. This arrangement caused considerable difficulty, as candidates are accustomed to writing descriptive papers on tables that provide stability and comfort. Writing lengthy answers without proper support not only affected posture and speed, but also compromised clarity and overall performance. Such conditions place candidates at an un-necessary disadvantage and raise concerns about the fairness of the examination environment. The BPSC administration should provide chairs with attached writing boards to maintain a dignified and equitable examination process.

Soaib Samad
Panjgur

GYM FOR WOMEN: There is a lack of gym facilities for women in Turbat. Due to cultural and social limitations, many women cannot access mixed-gender gyms, leaving them with no proper space to maintain physical fitness. Women’s health and wellbeing deserve equal attention. The authorities concerned should establish women-only gyms in Turbat.

Mahzaib Ghulamjan
Turbat

BEHAVIOURAL ADDICTIONS: Public discussion on addiction often focuses on substances, while behavioural addictions, such as compulsive phone use, gambling, excessive social media usage, etc., are dismissed as mere lack of self-control. Research in psychology suggests other-wise. These behaviours hijack the brain’s reward system and often function as coping mechanisms for stress, loneliness, boredom and low self-worth. Recovery, therefore, is not driven by shame or willpower alone, but by replacing all unhealthy sources of gratification with healthier ones, like, for instance, meaning, structure and purpose. As mental health challenges rise in Pakistan, recognising behavioural addiction as a full-scale psychological issue rather than a moral flaw may lead to more effective responses.

Auran Awan
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2026