Television host Nida Yasir has drawn criticism from social media users after advising parents to encourage their children to travel alone.
Speaking on the topic of children travelling solo, Yasir, during her morning show, said that parents should focus less on material things and more on providing their children with experiences.
“Instead of spending all your money on properties, houses, jewellery and other material things, create memories. Many people can’t even cross the road because their parents have been overprotective and kept them in a comfort zone,” she said.
Yasir went on to argue that independence has to be taught early since parents will not always be around to guide their children.
“Parents should encourage their children to travel solo because they won’t be with them forever. That’s why we educate our children, to make them independent. Teach them creative skills, let them travel alone and allow them to go from Karachi to Lahore by themselves,” she said.
She acknowledged that some parents disagree with the idea but stood by her point. “Some people object and say, ‘Don’t send children alone’, but your children will never learn to be independent if you never let them go on their own.”
While a number of netizens agreed with Yasir’s advice, several others were quick to criticise, accusing her of “being disconnected from ground realities in Pakistan”.
“Bibi, which country do you live in? Do you even know the situation in Pakistan, where children aren’t safe?” asked one user.
Another pointed to the risks families already face sending children to run basic errands. “We can’t even send our children to the market to buy groceries because families are receiving their dead bodies,” the user wrote.
A third comment questioned where exactly children could safely travel alone.
“Send our children alone? Where? In Pakistan, paedophiles and murderers are roaming free,” the user wrote.
“I will never even let my kids go to the shop alone,” said another.
A number of users also cited growing concerns over the recent spike in rape and murder cases involving children across the country.
