In Pakistan, unpaid student internships have become the norm – particularly in competitive fields such as media, marketing, technology and finance. Recent graduates are frequently told that these internships are the "golden ticket" to securing a proper job. But let's be honest: many of these so-called opportunities are simply unpaid labour in disguise.

According to a survey by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), approximately 60% of students seeking internships report that they are either unpaid or offer only minimal compensation. This situation is especially difficult for students from rural areas, who often face additional logistical challenges such as high transportation costs and limited access to accommodation. You work long hours, acquire minimal skills, and are often treated as little more than background noise.

Rather than opening doors to a career, these internships mostly drain your time, energy and enthusiasm – all without a paycheque, of course.

Why is this happening? The core issue is simple: Pakistan lacks national laws to protect interns. There are no legal requirements for companies to pay interns, no set limits on how long internships can last, and no obligation to provide proper training or mentorship.

In the absence of regulation, many........

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