THIS refers to the article ‘Siachen recollections’ (Jan 16) which lamented the distrust between Pakistan and India; whether it is the Kashmir dispute, Indus Waters Treaty, or the occupation of the Siachen glacier. So far, this ‘mistrust’ has been to India’s advantage.

The writer has quoted former Indian foreign secretary Shayam Saran’s book, How India Sees the World which has mentioned a lost opportunity to finally resolve long-standing issues with Pakistan. If the Indians have their account of lost opportunities, Pakistan is not far behind.

One such opportunity was the Kargil adventure, where, due to confusion, lack of sharp minds and questionable politics, Pakistan lost that opportunity to retake Siachen.

Pakistan had at least two options. First was that the political leadership at the time could have bargained withdrawal from Kargil with the simultaneous withdrawal of Indian army from Totuck, Chalangka, Thang and Toise villages which India had captured in 1971.

These four villages are spread over about 800sq-km, and had been under Pakistan’s control since 1948. With the capture of these four villages, India got access to Siachen.

The second option could have been for the planners to recapture the aforementioned villages, with far less loss of life and material, and most of all, loss in terms of world opinion.

By retaking these four villages, Pakistan would have achieved its objectives, and would have trapped the whole Indian army positioned at Siachen. A great opportunity was apparently lost.

Abid Mahmud Ansari
Islamabad

RANA LIAQUAT: Last week (Feb 13)marked the 116th birth anniversary of Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan, who was a lady of great courage in every sense of the word. From founding the All-Pakistan Women’s Association and the Women’s National Guard to undertaking diplomatic assignments in Europe and Africa, and then becoming the first woman governor of a province, her contribution was massive.

Mahfooz un Nabi Khan
Karachi

TRAINING INVESTIGATORS: This refers to the editorial ‘Ajmal Pahari’s release’ (Feb 9). Readers would remember the gory details of his crimes that were carried by national media. People were led to believe that the man was guilty beyond doubt. As such, the bail has come as a surprise. Can’t the apprehenders and the investigating officers be held responsible for wasting the court’s time and government’s money? The government should train the apprehenders, the investigators and the prosecutors in order to make them more effective.

S. Nayyar Iqbal Raza
Karachi

TEACHING INTERNS: The School Education and Literacy Department recently advertised the Sindh Teaching Interns Programme. Due to the poor financial condition, a majority of the population, especially those living in rural areas, cannot afford to buy newspapers. As a result, the last date of submission passed without many of the qualified and talented individuals even getting to know about it. The government would do well to extend the date of application as a favour to the people in the rural areas of the province.

Nazeer Ahmed
Larkana

VOTER REGISTRATION: This is with reference to the letter ‘Voter registration’ (Feb 6). Nobody from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has come to our locality in the Gulshan-i-Jamal area of Karachi for voter registration and the period of the exercise is already over. The ECP would do well to look into the matter and take due action.

M. Maruf Athar
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2022