THIS is apropos Summaya Afaq’s letter ‘Nawaz’s ouster’ (Aug 30). She has mentioned many failings of our politicians over the last 70 years. She is largely correct in her indictment.

I do hear such indictments frequently from fellow citizens. Every time I am a bit astounded because almost never do these indictments include mention of any general. The plain fact is that out of 70 years since 1947, 34 years have been spent under direct military rule, when the serving army chief was also the head of the government and often of the state as well.

Of the remaining years, it can be convincingly argued that the army has retained control of key policy areas of the state, in particular foreign policy and national security.

Thirty-four of 70 years are almost 50pc. It is self-evident then that any fair assessment of Pakistan’s ills would place at least half the blame on the army leadership. Yet this simple equation does not seem to register with most of our citizens.

It is not even the case that Pakistan under the army rule was always a different country, more prosperous and just. There was indeed an economic growth spurt in the first years of each bout of army rule.

However, in each case the growth petered out and when the army chief left Islamabad, it was apparent that whatever growth had occurred did not benefit a majority of Pakistanis.

I wish only that my fellow citizens could be more balanced in their assessment of the country’s problems.

Shehzad S.Shah

Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2017