THIS refers to Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy’s article ‘Can Pakistan’s F-16s fight terror’ (April 16). His views were not surprising. When the US announced its intent to sell these aircraft to Pakistan, Mr Hussain Haqqani opposed it. Now, when the matter is finalised, Mr Hoodbhoy is opposing it.

Around the time when Mr Haqqani was embroiled in the memogate scam, Mr Hoodbhoy was refusing the offer of a civil award by the Pakistan government. Why would any patriotic Pakistani do so without any ideological reason?

Every Pakistani would know why we are acquiring and have acquired these aircraft. Mr Haqqani had the intellectual courage to say it all. Even the US knows about this. Mr Hoodbhoy is the only person naive enough not to know this.

Using it against the Taliban is just one aspect of it, but a very strong one. It has, over the years, proved its worth. He wants us to change the mind of the youth. He is right here.

But over the long years which this will take, should we just wait and hope that the terrorists will not kill our women, children and men? People of his ilk can conveniently go abroad, but not a common Pakistani.

The writer also wants us to invest in intelligence gathering. He is right again. But what do we do if terrorists are found to be holed up in inaccessible areas? Dr Hoodbhoy is a professor of physics. I have read many articles in the newspapers by him except on his subject.

He would be well advised to concentrate on the subject he specialises in and let our defence establishment do its job. I don’t think they need his ‘expert’ advice.

Taimur Azmat Osman

Former Federal Secretary

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2016