LAHORE – When we hear the word feminism, what usually comes to mind? Rights, independence, equality? At its core, feminism is meant to stand for fairness and justice, yet in our society, the term has often been misunderstood, misused, or even exploited. Broadly speaking, there are two types of women who call themselves feminists. The first group genuinely strives for equality in their professional roles, personal lives, and societal standing.

For them, feminism is about demanding respect and recognition, not superiority. The second group, however, uses feminism in the wrong way. For them, calling themselves feminist has become trendy or “cool.” They use it as a shield to justify going off track, behaving disrespectfully, or unfairly targeting men. To these women, hating men equals feminism, which is far from its true meaning.

This misuse creates injustice for men, who sometimes become victims when faced with such distorted versions of feminism.The problem arises when feminism is twisted into a tool for privilege rather than equality.

For some, it becomes a reason to demand advantages without responsibility, a trend to bash men while ignoring the challenges men face such as mental health struggles, financial pressures, or societal expectations, and even a justification for rudeness and disrespect disguised as empowerment. This distorted narrative not only damages men but also misguides younger generations, especially through social media, where radicalized voices dominate and influence perceptions.
Every year, events like the Aurat March become controversial. While raising voices for rights and justice is never wrong, many banners, slogans, and behaviors displayed during such events do not resonate with our cultural and religious values.

We live in an Islamic state where modesty is emphasized, and our youth are increasingly influenced by the wrong portrayal of feminism, confusing rebellion with empowerment. It is crucial to remember that Islam grants women immense respect and rights, but within defined boundaries. Women are encouraged to cover themselves, care for their families, and maintain dignity in society. At the same time, Islam elevates women by granting them inheritance rights, the right to education, respect as mothers, and recognition as equal partners in society. True equity lies in following this balance: rights with responsibilities, freedom with respect, and equality with values.
The debate over feminism, however, is not confined to Pakistan; it is global. According to IPSOS, 32% of men worldwide believe feminism does more harm than good, and 20% of women share this view. A King’s College London survey found that 16% of Gen Z men (ages 16–29) consider feminism harmful, higher than the 13% of men over 60 who feel the same. Globally, men are more likely than women to believe feminism has caused men to lose economic, social, or political power. On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), nearly 50% of posts about feminism are negative, and anti-feminist accounts often use insults and stereotypes three times more frequently than feminist accounts.

Even corporations have commodified feminism, using slogans like “The Future is Female” to market products. This selective adoption of feminist language reinforces stereotypes rather than addressing real issues of gender equality.
The essence of feminism is not about hating men, seeking privileges, or promoting disrespect. It is about equity, justice, and opportunity for all, values already embedded in Islam and universally acknowledged human rights. If feminism is to achieve its true purpose, it must be reclaimed from misuse, distortion, and commercialization. Only then can it inspire a healthier society where both men and women coexist with dignity, fairness, and respect.

LAHORE – Imran Amin, CEO of Punjab CBD and RUDA, met with Ali Mustafa Dar, Advisor to the Punjab Chief Minister on AI and Special Initiatives, in Lahore. The high-level meeting focused on the strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and tokenization frameworks within the ongoing and upcoming projects of CBD Punjab and RUDA.

The meeting focused on utilizing AI-driven governance to refine urban planning and enhance data-driven decision-making. Both officials evaluated the implementation of AI for smart infrastructure, digital service delivery, and predictive analytics to streamline operational efficiency and transparency across all development projects.

A key highlight of the meeting was the exploration of asset tokenization frameworks aimed at increasing transparency accessibility and investor participation in large-scale urban development projects. The concept of digital asset tokenization was discussed as a forward-looking approach to modernize real estate investment mechanisms and create secure technology-backed financial ecosystems.

Ali Mustafa Dar appreciated the proactive approach of CBD Punjab and RUDA in embracing AI and innovative financial technologies. He assured full support from his office in facilitating policy guidance, technical collaboration, and pilot initiatives to position Punjab as a leading hub for smart and technology-enabled urban development.

CEO CBD Punjab & RUDA Imran Amin briefed the Advisor on the ongoing progress of CBD Punjab & RUDA, emphasizing their vision to transform urban development through vertical growth, sustainability, and smart-city principles. He reiterated the commitment of both authorities to adopt emerging technologies that align with the Government of Punjab’s digital transformation agenda.

The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to establish a structured roadmap for AI integration and tokenization pilots within selected projects of CBD Punjab & RUDA.

LAHORE – In Pakistan’s thriving leather markets, Adnan Siddiqui, Director of Karachi-based FACON and founder of Trendy Jacket, had a vision: to showcase Pakistani craftsmanship globally through premium leather jackets and accessories.

But vision alone wasn’t enough. Despite Pakistan’s leather goods exports reaching $98.697 million with 5.1% growth, Adnan faced the challenges that stifle countless Pakistani entrepreneurs: unreliable international payments, transaction delays, and constant non-payment risks.

The broader context was equally daunting. Pakistan’s e-commerce sector hit $7.7 billion in 2024 with 17% annual growth forecasted, yet SMEs still wrestled with payment barriers, connectivity issues, and trust gaps. For Adnan, these weren’t abstract statistics; they were daily obstacles limiting his international potential.

“I watched opportunity after opportunity slip away,” Adnan recalls. “Customers loved our products, but payment hassles made lasting relationships nearly impossible.”

The breakthrough came when Adnan became an early adopter of Payoneer over a decade ago. This strategic partnership provided the complete cross-border payments ecosystem he needed:

• Global receiving accounts for seamless Amazon and marketplace payments
• Multi-currency management across 12 accounts without conversion delays
• Physical payment cards for instant fund access
• Real-time FX conversion for maintained cash flows

“The beauty wasn’t just in the platform’s ease,” Adnan explains. “It was in how it freed me to focus on creating exceptional leather products.”

The transformation was dramatic. Daily vendor and courier payments replaced monthly cycles, directly improving customer satisfaction and fulfillment speed. Most remarkably, Adnan’s business grew tenfold, expanding across the United States, Europe, Canada, and Australia.

“When I started, cross-border growth was more of a dream,” Adnan reflects. “Now young entrepreneurs enter the market with confidence, knowing they can compete globally from day one.”

His advice to emerging entrepreneurs: prioritize long-term value and consistent quality over short-term profits.

As Pakistan’s e-commerce market heads toward PKR 500 billion by 2026 with 18-22% annual growth, Adnan’s journey from local leather business to global enterprise offers a powerful roadmap for entrepreneurs ready to transform international dreams into reality.