THIS is apropos of the letter by Dr Mervyn Hossein on ‘The Army oath’ (Nov 11). What Aslam Beg has been saying in TV talk shows is that he followed the lawful command of the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, i.e. President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, pertaining to army officers as contained in the Army Act.

After independence all Acts in force prior to partition were re-promulgated as adopted and adapted by Pakistan. The British rulers had so trained the officers of the Armed forces that they were not to question the commands, lawful or otherwise, of their superiors.

This slavish mentality still persists which has helped in the perpetuation and enforcement of all illegal and unconstitutional martial laws, commencing from Ayub Khan’s abrogation of the 1956 constitution till Musharraf’s rule.

As regards the case of Shakeel Afridi, Dr Hossein should not worry as Mr Afridi’s accomplices and patrons would definitely help him out of the present predicament.

What Dr. Hossein should denounce is the illegal, immoral and inhumane punishment of 80 years in prison given by a prejudiced American judicial system to Aafia Siddiqi, a fragile and frail woman, for attempting to kill an American soldier.

ABDUL SAEED KHAN GHORI Karachi