THIS is with reference to Safir A. Siddiqui’s letter (April 1). There cannot be two views on the fact that the air force is all about flying and GD pilots. Officers of any other branch vying to ask for equality in emoluments and perks of the fighting force are not justified in such demands, if any.

Apparently, none of the education branch officers has ever mentioned that they should be made air marshal and air chief in any of the letters published herein. Neither has their jealousy of flying officers, if any, have been manifested.

I, however, do not agree with the writer that “the air force should not award ranks.......and they should be simply called lecturers, assistant professor and so on....”

This, apparently, would mean further downgrading the officers of the education branch. As a retired army officer, the writer would be aware as to how civilian employees are looked upon and treated as children of lesser god.

The minimum qualifications required for such officers is a master’s degree and they join the service to get, inter alia, due respect. I wonder if any of the services will attract well-qualified people to work as civilian employees.

K. A. SIDDIQUI Karachi