By our correspondent
KARACHI: The National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Karachi, hosted a special screening of the short film Screen Locked, shedding light on the growing crisis of screen addiction and promoting the importance of balance in an increasingly digital world.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Khalid Hasan Khan, the film features acclaimed actors Alyy Khan and Atabik Mohsin, and explores the psychological and social costs of constant connectivity. At its core, Screen Locked warns against digital narcissism—the obsessive pursuit of online validation—and advocates for mindful engagement with life, relationships, and personal wellbeing.
The event was led by NIPA Director General Dr. Syed Saif Ur Rehman, who said: “Screen Locked addresses one of the most crucial issues of our time—screen addiction. It delivers a powerful lesson on maintaining balance in our lives, and Alyy Khan has acted marvellously in the film.”
The screening, attended by senior civil servants, included interactive Q&A sessions and structured feedback, encouraging participants to reflect on digital wellbeing and incorporate responsible screen use into governance and public service.
In addition to the screening, Alyy Khan planted an Amaltas tree as part of NIPA’s “Plant a Tree Taller Than Your Height” initiative, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to a green and sustainable campus. He also visited the National Book Foundation Book Shop, the first bookstore within NIPA, purchasing a book and supporting the promotion of learning and literacy.
The screening was described as more than a cinematic experience, serving as a thought-leadership intervention aimed at sensitizing policymakers to the challenges of screen dependency and fostering a culture of digital balance in professional and personal life.
