A CAREFUL STUDY

Published May 4, 2026 Updated May 4, 2026 06:33am

A CAREFUL STUDY: The National Aeronautics and Space Agency (Nasa) of the United States, along with 62 other countries, has signed the Artemis Accords, which ensure civil use of space, moon, asteroids, comets and other planets, including earth’s atmosphere. Bangladesh, India and Jordan have joined the accords, and so have Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, while Russia, China, North Korea, Egypt and Turkiye have not. Apparently, Pakistan has not yet started thinking about the accords. Clearly, since the founding partners are using the accords to bind the signatories to a certain protocol, it must be studied carefully before a decision is made.

Syed Shams Naqvi
California, USA

UNFAIR CHARGES: During the entire last month, I consumed only 31 units of electricity, but the bill I received was for Rs5,936, meaning a per-unit cost of Rs191.48. The actual electricity bill was for Rs1,082 to which were added fixed charges (Rs3,579) as well as taxes and duties (Rs926). Is there any justification for charging so many taxes and charges from an already burdened consumer?

Syed Hasan Askari Naqvi
Karachi

LOST BAG: On April 19 at around 6am, I took a ride in a car from Gulberg to another area of Lahore. I accidentally left behind a black bag in the car. Within minutes, I tried to contact the driver multiple times using different numbers, but he did not respond. Later, he answered my call, but denied having any knowledge of the bag. His phone is now switched off, which further strengthens my suspicion regarding his involvement. The relevant authorities and ride service providers should take strict action against such practices.

M. Mubeen Ashraf
Lahore

MEDIA COVERAGE: Social media and international news outlets have reported that some American mine-sweeping warships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz. But no Pakistani newspaper has covered this news. One wonders what the truth happens to be.

Amjed Jaaved
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2026

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