THIS refers to your editorial ‘A police force undermined’ (Oct 22). It has based itself on a single press conference addressed by the chief of one political party, and has categorically declared a verdict on ‘the intention’ of a federal paramilitary force. There is no margin of even a remote possibility that the move of the force concerned could have been motivated by a desire to make a politician accountable for his conduct at the mausoleum of Father of the Nation.

I am in my 80s now, I have seen the respect and affection that the Quaid enjoyed among the masses. I have witnessed grown-ups crying like children when the Quaid breathed his last. Sadly, the sacrilege does not seem to merit any space or mention in the editorial concerned.

When it comes to respecting the country’s flag, the national anthem and the Quaid, the armed forces across the board display far more responsibility than our politicians. Since these are contingents from the armed forces that perform guard duties at the Quaid’s mausoleum, they feel greater responsibility to uphold its dignity.

Further, even if, for whatever reasons, the Sindh police chief had reservations in the matter, he should have refused to make the move regardless of any pressure. The top law-enforcement officer in the province is expected not to yield to any pressure and be prepared to even risk his life even though there was no risk involved in the episode. In any case, after changing four police chiefs in two years, the current political leadership in the province has apparently decided to stand by the incumbent probably because they regard him as someone who will follow their directives without question.

S.R.H. Hashmi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2020