CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS: It is observed that when customers visit banks to make credit card payments, they have to stand in long queues. At times, the situation worsens due to system outages, causing further delays and frustration. This not only wastes time, but also dis-courages people from relying on banking services. Elderly individuals in particular find it difficult to wait in long queues for extended periods. As such, banks should introduce a facility whereby a messenger or authorised representative collects payments from cardholders’ address. Payments can be made securely through crossed cheques, ensuring both safety and convenience. This step would greatly ease the burden on customers.

Muhammad Farooq Hassan
Islamabad

NO GAS FOR RESIDENTS: There has been a serious dearth of gas supply in my neighbourhood of Phase VIII in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area for the last many days. Complaints (Nos: 3914207836 and 3912117513) were also filed, but nothing happened. After protests and appeals, I was informed that the pressure from the source is normal, but some residents seem to have installed illegal devices to pump out additional gas. I was then advised to accept this scenario as fait accompli and settle for costly gas cylinders. The authorities should take effective and concrete action because tolerating a crime is no less evil than the crime itself.

Umar M. Makhdumi
Karachi

PRACTICALS IN EDUCATION: The decline of practical education in Pakistan is concerning. The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) has reduced practical exams to written papers, which defeats their pur-pose. Practical work is meant to build understanding through experience, not through memorisation alone. When students only write about ‘experiments’ instead of performing them, their learning remains largely theoretical. This creates a serious gap in skills. There is a need to restore proper practical examinations.

Sibt-e-Ali Turi
Parachinar

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2026