APROPOS the editorial ‘Militant candidatess’ (July 23). It rightly highlights the unfortunate electoral situation in Pakistan. Initially, both the PTI and PML-N, were supporting Aurangzaib Farooqui in his contest for a Sindh Assembly seat. However, the PML-N candidate later withdrew his support and so did the PTI candidate as stated by the provincial leaders of the two parties.

It is unfortunate that people with extremist views and promoting sectarian sentiments have been allowed to contest elections.

On the other hand, we continue to hear of so many mainstream politicians being disqualified only to be allowed by the honourable courts to contest.

Can the Election Commission of Pakistan and the caretaker set-up explain the lenient position they have taken against members of banned outfits?

In a state like ours, plagued by so many divisions, can we even afford to have such lawmakers? With hostile borders and an increasingly worrying situation with the FATF grey list what point are we trying to prove to the outside world?

Hassan Zaman Shah

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2018