THIS refers to the letter ‘Dual nationality’ (July 5) by Brig (r) Shamshad Khan, wherein he accused dual nationality holders Dr Tahirul Qadri and Altaf Hussain of damaging the country politically and economically, creating nuisance for the public, disrupting life and threatening democracy. He has requested both to leave us Pakistanis in peace.

If one were to believe him, it would mean that there would have been perfect peace and tranquillity in the country but for the mischief done by these two characters.

Altaf Hussain’s influence is limited to Karachi and a few cities of Sindh. As for Dr Qadri, he is yet to do anything substantial. The unnecessary killings, mass arrests and shootings in Lahore were the result of high-handedness by the ‘brutal Punjab police’. The drama at Islamabad/Lahore airports came about because of the incompetence of the government.

Just what democracy is there in Pakistan? What the writer confuses for democracy is purely a pact between two family-owned parties to take turns to misrule and exploit the country.

These are the so-called democrats who have damaged the country politically, economically and morally with the PML-N going about methodically, hacking down all the major institutions in the country by placing favourites in important positions. It is bypassing the laid-down procedures and is trying to do away with rules about government purchases and contracts.When his term ends, Nawaz Sharif will leave the nation with massive loans and reduced evenues by selling off profitable state-owned entities to friends and relatives.

If the letter writer had looked at the matter in an unbiased manner, he would have concluded that, in fact, Dr Qadri is a benefactor, making a last-ditch attempt to protect whatever is left of Pakistan. He has not even started yet and already a parliamentary committee for electoral reform is being formed.

S.R.H. Hashmi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2014