Morning show hosts in Pakistan have a unique ability to reveal the distance between their privileged lives and the everyday realities of those who make their lives easier.

A recent example is Nida Yasir’s remarks about Foodpanda riders, which sparked widespread criticism for their casual disregard for the challenges faced by gig workers.

During a discussion with her guests, Nida Yasir claimed that delivery riders sometimes take advantage by “pretending” not to have change.

She said she responds by making them wait while her driver fetches it, intentionally delaying their next delivery “to teach them a lesson.”

This attitude overlooks the reality that these riders navigate traffic, roadblocks, harsh weather, and safety risks, often working long hours with no guaranteed income.

Deliberately delaying their work jeopardizes not only their next order but also their ratings, earnings, and sometimes their safety.

It’s important to remember that ordering through an app is different from a direct store purchase.

The app itself notifies customers when the rider is nearby and encourages them to prepare change, recognizing that riders cannot carry large sums of cash while on the road.

When customers punish riders for minor inconveniences, it reflects a lack of awareness and empathy rather than any wrongdoing on the part of the worker.

Riders themselves have spoken out, requesting a public apology from Nida Yasir for comments they found insulting and dismissive of the challenges they face.

Their demand highlights the importance of accountability, especially when public platforms are used to shame or demean those without one.

The takeaway is simple: delivery riders are human beings performing essential work in a fragile gig economy. Deliberately making them wait over minor inconveniences is neither clever nor justified.

Customers can pay online or choose whether to tip, but punishing workers for circumstances beyond their control shows entitlement and a lack of compassion.

At its core, this incident serves as a reminder that those who dominate media platforms have a responsibility to respect the dignity of every worker, and that basic decency and empathy should guide how we treat those who keep our daily lives running smoothly.