BLASPHEMY ATTACKS: When the law enforcement agencies fail to perform their duties and self-righteous people, driven by extremism, take the law in their own hands, incidents of violence become common. The state appears helpless before the unruly mobs that kill people over blasphemy allegations. There is no empathy for anyone. Nowhere in the sane and modern world, blasphemy attacks happen as frequently as they happen in Pakistan. Unfortunately, mob lynching incidents are increasing day by day. The law should take its due course.

Nasir Soomro
Karachi

BENEFICIAL INNOVATION: It is imperative to establish comprehensive regulations to ensure ethical development as well as deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life. Unregulated AI causes numerous risks, such as threats to privacy, security and employment. It can exacerbate existing biases, leading to unfair treatment in terms of job hiring, law-enforcement and lending. The job market is also at risk, as automation powered by AI could displace millions of workers. This necessitates a proactive approach to reskilling and supporting the workers under threat. Effective AI regulations should focus on transparency, accountability and fairness. Policymakers must work closely with technologists, ethicists and civil society leaders to protect individual rights and promote beneficial innovation.

Shifa Abro
Khairpur

MISLEADING ADVERTS: Almost all advertisements are misleading as their basic intention is to lure the public into this trap or that. For instance, the houses shown in advertisements of new housing societies are nothing but fake. An advertisement by the producers of packaged milk shows poor children who, as per the advertisers, would be deprived of milk nutrition if the taxes proposed in the budget were not taken back. I doubt if these children have ever tasted packaged milk, which costs Rs280 per litre.

What is the point of such advertising?

Malik ul Quddoos
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024