It was shocking to see Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari wearing the kind of dress he did at his meeting with the Cambodian prime minister, and, earlier, at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting at Tashkent last month. His grandfather did popularise the shalwar kameez dress, but on diplomatic events and on his foreign visits, he invariably wore a lounge suit. No one is more proud of their culture than the Chinese and Japanese, but on diplomatic occasions they conform to the protocol. The worth of a leader abroad is recognised by the country’s level of socioeconomic development, not by native apparels.

Pro Bono Publico
Karachi

DEMOCRATIC NORMS: The scene created in Pakistan after the change in federal government has caused political instability, leading to economic meltdown, which is most regrettable and unfortunate. No international conspiracy is needed when we disrespect our political opponents. All members of parliament are honourable citizens. People in power in Pakistan have never been angels. Exaggerated criticism of the United States is unjustified and unfair.

Prof Khalid Hassan Mahmood
Karachi

MONEY-CHANGERS: Owing to Pakistan’s political and economic crises, international media has started talking about a possible disaster in the days ahead. To overcome the crisis, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) needs to do away with money-exchange companies and allow commercial banks to also act as money-changers.

Syed Ali Musa Zaidi
Rawalpindi

PENDING CASES: There are over two million cases pending in courts across the country. Fresh cases often get precedence over the pending ones, adding to the sufferings of the litigants engaged in such cases. Waiting for a single hearing for years and even decades is an injustice in itself. This is robbing the litigants of their right to speedy and fair trial enshrined in the Constitution.

Name withheld on request
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2022