FIRE BRIGADE: A devastating fire broke out in Shah Jamal, a small and underdeveloped town in Muzaffargarh district, destroying a shop within minutes. Thankfully, no lives were lost as the incident occurred late in the evening. However, the response exposed a serious lack of emergency facilities in the area. The fire brigade reportedly arrived nearly two hours after the incident because of the long distance from the nearest facility. By then, the fire had already caused significant damage. This incident high-lights the urgent need for basic emer- gency services in small towns. A timely response can prevent major disasters and can save both lives and livelihoods.
Mahar Muhammad Hanzla
Muzaffargarh
POTENTIAL DISASTER: Artificial intelligence (AI), if left unchecked, can be catastrophic for humanity. In the health sector, AI can be used to develop pathogens, affecting humans. Furthermore, AI poses a threat to democracy because public institutions may be replaced by private corporations. For instance, Ukraine tried to attack Russia’s defence system by using Starlink, and only Elon Musk had the power to decide. Neither the American government nor the Pentagon had the power to control it. This shows that AI must be regulated because a state survives when its institutions thrive. In Pakistan, the technology must be intro-duced with proper checks and balances.
M. Saqib Riaz
Abbottabad
PETROL PRICES: Frequent spikes in petrol prices eventually affect household budgets. A motorcyclist on a daily wage now spends a major chunk of his income on commuting. Vegetables and flour have become more expensive, and transporters increase charges without any notice. A significant portion of the money we pay at the pump comprises the taxes and petroleum levy, but no one explains where all this money goes. The government should lower the levy, eliminate any unstated charges, and explain how prices are fixed. Additionally, improved public transportation is urgently needed.
Javeeria Aqeel
Rawalpindi
Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2026
