Long live the pen!

This is with reference to the article “Long live the pen!” by Benazir Murad (YW, September 5).

As a writer with more than 22 years of experience, I have always found it inspiring and magical to write the first drafts of my articles with a pen. Even today, when technology and gadgets are a major part of our lives, I still prefer writing with a pen.

A ballpoint pen is handy, but a fountain pen is something I always keep with me. There is something personal about writing with a fountain pen. As the writer has rightly mentioned, there are moments when we feel as if our thoughts are flowing from the nib of the pen onto the paper.

I also find it interesting to go through the handwritten notes of classical authors. Their markings and corrections tell us about their writing process. Indeed, technology has made writing faster and more convenient, but the personal connection that comes with writing by hand remains, and there will never be anything quite like it.

M. Omar Iftikhar
Karachi

The summer fee issue

I’m a university student, and every year I hear the same frustration from my parents: private schools charging full fees for June and July, even though there are no classes during the summer break.

On top of that, if the fee isn’t paid on time, schools add a late charge. It feels strange that a family has to pay for a service that isn’t being provided that month and then gets penalised for being a few days late.

This deserves more attention and action by the authorities, since students and their families are directly affected but rarely get a say in how these fee structures are decided.

Batool Fatima,
Karachi

Chicken pot pie

This concerns the recipe “Chicken pot pie” (YW, July 25). I have never tried making a pot pie before, but this one actually made me want to try it. I liked it because it was a single serving.

Sometimes you just want to make something nice for yourself without making a big dish for the family. As a cheese lover, I tried it with some extra cheese on top, and it turned out so yummy.

Aiman Siddiqui,
Rawalpindi

Morning terror

This concerns the story “A morning of terror” by Ayesha Ilyas (YW, August 8). It was quite frightening to read about the robbers entering the room while she was asleep.

It is the kind of thing you never imagine will happen to you. The story made me think about how easily we take an ordinary, safe day for granted.

Sobiya Inaam,
Gujranwala

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 12th, 2026