HONOUR-KILLING: Thousands of women are killed in Pakistan in the name of honour. Most of these cases go un-reported as people believe it to be a part of their culture, tradition or religion. In reality, it is all about power and authority. The patriarchal system has left no space for women. They are expected to spend their entire lives within the boundaries of their homes. They are supposed to follow structured decisions that are often taken collectively, justified socially and protected politically. Why is honour almost always tied to woman’s choice, but never to a man’s? Why is a woman killed for choosing her partner, but not a man?
Syeda Maryam Shah
Karachi
RESIDUE MANAGEMENT: As the wheat season concludes, it leaves behind an estimated 31.4 million tonnes of residue. Agriculture experts are warning that the traditional practice of stubble burning is equivalent to ‘burning money’ and it effectively reduces essential soil life. Intensive burning contributes to roughly 20 per cent of air pollution. Sustainable post-harvest management can help farmers step into a potential secondary market where wheat straw (toori) is sold for Rs480 per 40kg pile for livestock feed and industrial use in paper mills. As such, by being imaginative, farmers can transform a seasonal waste problem into a powerful driver of both environmental health and rural prosperity.
Dilawar Hussain
Lodhran
MISERABLE LIVES: The lives of the people in Swabi have been made miserable by the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco). There is frequent unscheduled loadshedding lasting hours. Those behind this merciless practice should realise that the majority of their consumers cannot afford alternative sources of electricity. The young, especially the students, poor elderly people, patients and infants remain restless throughout the day. They spend sleepless nights under the open sky in darkness. The authorities concerned should show some mercy, if not shame, and take immediate steps to resolve the issue.
Waseem Abbas
Swabi
Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2026