Zubeida Mustafa, in her column ‘Death of social sciences’ (July 10), mentions several factors responsible for the dismal state of social sciences in Pakistan.

One may add, however, another important factor: most social scientists in Pakistan prefer to express their creative genius in newspaper columns rather than publishing research monographs in reputable journals.

I was also intrigued by a statement by Dr Zareena Salamat quoted in the column. Dr Salamat argues for ‘de-linking’ education from ideology.

But then in the next line she says: “Social engineering is required to create a society based on tolerance, interfaith harmony and democratic values.”

That is fine, but isn’t she advocating an ideology here?

MUMTAZ AHMAD Vice-President (Academic Affairs) International Islamic University Islamabad