WOMEN IN SHACKLES: Gender bias still shackles women in Pakistan, with millions of women facing barriers in the way of their effort to achieve professional goals. Despite comprising nearly 49 per cent of the population, only about 25pc of women are part of the workforce. This not only dehumanises one gender, but also affects the country’s economic foundation. Although women have proven every prejudice wrong, our patriarchal society continues to limit their potential. Furthermore, early marriages, unequal wages, workplace harassment and limited opportunities are some forms of the oppression that is faced by women on a daily basis. We need a broader social reform through which obsolete notions of gender superiority can be rooted out.

Naikbakth Bijjar
Shapuk

RECLAIMING STREETS: Every morning, footpaths around major markets shrink a little more. Pedestrians have to dodge traffic on busy roads due to illegal encroachments. The problem is twofold: civic agencies turn a blind eye, and offenders continue to bank on public apathy. Meanwhile, emergency vehicles cannot pass, drains get blocked, and lawful citizens lose common spaces. Municipal authorities must conduct monthly geo-tagged surveys of all public land and create a dedicated helpline with tracking ID where residents can report new en-croachments. Swift removals of encroachments within 48 hours, without political interference, would restore deterrence.

Samra Anwar
Karachi

A NEW DIVIDE: The decision of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to introduce mandatory artificial intelligence (AI) education is a welcome step. While leading institutions have made significant progress in this regard, many universities still lack AI laboratories and trained faculty. As a result, students from a few institutions are gaining the skills to succeed in an AI-driven economy, while others are left behind. Without effective measures, many graduates might remain unprepared for the changing job market.

Muhammad Zain Ejaz
Wah Cantt

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026