ONE may not understand why there is a hue and cry on the caretaker interior minister’s statement?

We all know that when the democratic government completed its term, the caretaker setup came in with the consultation of the then prime minister and the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.

Both ruling and opposition parties agreed on this setup. The caretaker prime minister and ministers are inducted on their mutual understanding. So it is quite obvious that some of them are favourites of the PPP and a few are close to the PML-N.

Now if their nominated interior minister has openly said about his affiliation or support, why should it be taken seriously? All members are nominees of these two major parties. Therefore, somehow their affiliation or close relationship to these parties is obvious.

Therefore, we should not expect absolute impartiality or absolute neutrality. Those days are gone when one can find neutral people for a caretaker setup. At present, those who are part of the cabinet are ‘chair-taker’ kind of people.

DR ALFRED CHARLES Karachi

Special seats for women

IN view of the fact that most of the special/reserved seats for women are given to the kith and kin of politicians, it is proposed that all reserved seats for women should be abolished and intending candidates be asked to contest on general seats.

As a matter of fact, special seats should only be allowed to minorities while all others should contest on general seats.

Further, if the proposal is not workable, then no ministerial portfolio should be given to anyone who comes on the special seat because they should not be considered public representatives and as such no public funds should be placed at their disposal.

According to statistics in newspapers, there are 60 special reserved seats for women in the National Assembly, besides many in provincial assemblies. It appears to be a burden and nothing else except promoting family politics.

A CITIZEN Karachi

Political circus

WE recently witnessed a political circus in our court rooms when applicants for National and Provincial Assemblies had to appear before Returning Officers for the scrutiny of their nomination papers. They also had to prove themselves as pious, sadiq, ameen and practicing Muslims.

It was quite embarrassing for our future legislators who failed to answer simple religious questions.

I am sure our founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah would have flunked the test also if he were alive today and had attended the circus.

Knowing or not knowing religious questions does not mean that you would be a good or bad legislator. Good or bad attributes are engraved in one's personality; they have nothing to do with religion.

I hope that this circus would not be staged in future.

DR KHURRUM FIAZUDDIN Karachi