I RECENTLY visited the local office of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) in Mardan to have my CNIC replaced with a smart card. I reached the office much before the opening time, and when the office did open, I naturally wanted to get the token first, but was told that the system had some problem and people should wait in a queue.

The funny thing is that there was no queue to stand in. Confusion and chaos reigned supreme, as men and women were forced to jostle for a place in some imaginary queue. Are we not sane enough to make separate queues for men and women? Women do not, and should not, demand superiority over men, but they deserve equality, which is their legal and social right. Everything cannot be written in the Constitution and law to compel people to behave properly.

Progressive societies intend to follow contracts and laws that are not written.

If a society does not have values, respectforeachother,especially women, how can it aspire to dream of prosperity and equality? On that day, I waited an hour for sanity to prevail, but it did not. Finally, I raised my voice and compelled the officials to have a separate queue for women.

I wonder when we would get respect and equality without having to ask for it.

Hira Bibi Attock