TO the best of my knowledge and belief, defence housing societies were created as a welfare measure for officers retiring after giving their best to the service and enduring all the hardships.

Every year hundreds of officers retire at a young age. I have known lieutenant generals retiring at 53 years of age. When new townships come up, commercial activity is bound to be there.

However, when any individual is found guilty of doing something wrong he should be punished. But there is no need for maligning the entire institution. It is my faith that armed forces are not only the first line of defence but also the last line of defence.

I am a senior citizen and a veteran of 1965 and 1971 wars and the father of a shaheed army officer. I appeal to everyone to avoid comments which bring armed forces into disrepute.

Brig (r) Khalid Hassan Mahmood

Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2019