WOMEN-FRIENDLY TRANSPORT: Despite increasing contributions of women in education and the workforce, the lack of proper transportation has become a barrier to their independence. It causes distress in daily work and academic routines. Women across the country are forced to rely on unsafe and overcrowded buses for transportation. These conditions not only cause physical discomfort, but also lead to safety risks and harassment. As a result, many women face serious problems while commuting, and many are discouraged from pursuing education or taking part in the workforce. The government must improve public transport, introduce women-friendly transport options, and enforce strict safety measures to reduce the risk of harassment.

Zoha Ahmed
Karachi

WAR-TORN CITY: While coming out of the airport in Karachi on a recent visit, I was struck by a rather large neon sign, saying: ‘Karachi: City of Lights’. The bright sign contrasted with the actual streetlights which appeared rather dim. I wonder if it is a deliberate policy to save energy, or the infrastructure is weak and needs fixing. Secondly, the condition of the roads was beyond words. All in all, the infrastructure resembled a rather war-torn city subjected to enemy’s bombardment. Municipal authorities would do well to focus on such issues.

M. Saleem
London, UK

LOADSHEDDING: For the last several weeks, residents of Federal B Area Block 9 in Karachi have been subjected to repeated power outages, often five times a day, each lasting 1.5-2 hours. These cuts strike at random, including late in the night, leaving families unable to sleep or function. As a medical student, I had to appear in my professional exams during these troubling times. People working from home cannot meet deadlines, and basic chores, like cooking, laundry and water pumping, are severely affected. K-Electric (KE) should end unannounced, excessive loadshedding and publish a fair, fixed schedule for residential areas.

Syeda Khadija Hassan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2026