DESTRUCTIVE FISHING: Along the coast from Gadani to Gwadar and Kund Malir, small-mesh fishing nets are destroying the local fish stocks. These nets trap baby fish before they can grow, threatening the future of fishing in these areas. Local fishermen are worried because they cannot go to faraway areas for fishing as high fuel cost keeps them close to the shore. When illegal nets empty these waters, they are left with no catch and no income.

Imran Aslam
Hub

FAIRNESS IN TAXATION: The country’s taxation structure increasingly relies on the easiest target; the salaried class. With taxes deducted at source, the salaried individuals have no option, but to offer their full compliance. They appear to shoulder a disproportionately large share of the revenue burden, while vast segments of income remain outside effective taxation. At a time when soaring inflation continues to squeeze household budgets, repeatedly turning to the same compliant group is neither fair nor sustainable. Economic stability cannot rest on overtaxing those who are already documented, while leaving broader taxation potential untapped. A meaningful reform has to focus on expanding the national taxation base, and it must ensure an equitable contribution from all income groups.

Muhammad Asif Amin
Islamabad

WATER BILL: I have been paying my utility bill to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) for the past four decades without default. My average monthly bill has always remained around Rs800. However, I was surprised to receive the current bill amounting to Rs4,436; five times higher than my normal billing amount. There has been no unusual increase in water consumption at my premises. I made several attempts to contact the relevant officials, but the numbers mentioned on the bill appear to be out of order. The KWSC should provide a justification for this exorbitant bill so that I may proceed with the payment part.

K.M. Shafi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2026