THIS is with reference to the news item wherein an American official has said that the US wanted Pervez Musharraf to be treated with respect even after his ouster (Aug 20). It also refers to the report, 'Extra security for the down and out president' (Aug 19), your editorial, 'Musharraf's future' and the letter, 'A strict man in office', by K. Pradeep, both of Aug 20.

To the US official, one would like to ask that if George Bush had fired two-thirds of judiciary along with the chief justice of the American Supreme Court, got him manhandled by the police and then incarcerated him and his family, including schoolgoing children, with how much respect would Americans have treated him? They should not rub salt on our wounds by such advice. If the folks in Washington had been sincere and wise, they wouldn't have backed Musharraf against our judiciary, which has caused so much turmoil, that continues.

There had been no bomb blasts and no suicide bombings in Pakistan, nor was our army made to fight against our own people until Musharraf decided to become a US ally. The US may like him for this reason but, as they say, “One man's meat is another man's poison.” What has been good for America hasn't been so for this country.

All the killings after 9/11 have taken place outside the US and none inside, after that date. Not that I wish the Americans or anybody else to be killed, but nor should the Muslims get slain. Most Pakistanis are extremely angry with Musharraf and don't want any lessons or interference from Washington. They want to sort out their problems themselves.

The report about Mr Musharraf's security makes it clear that millions of rupees will have to be spent on the man's security. Given the fact that hundreds of people have been committing suicide due to hunger and poverty and Mr Musharraf has already spent over a billion rupees on his foreign excursions, it is essential that money be saved as far as possible and diverted to prevent suicides.

In your editorial, you have said in relation to him that accountability should not be selective and, “if people are to be tried for their acts of omission and commission, everyone accused of corruption must stand in the dock.” The biggest fault of Mr Musharraf is not corruption but the staging of two coups - the second against himself as COAS, versus the president - and violating the Constitution. No Pakistani alive is accused of such crimes, thus, his is a unique case requiring separate consideration.

M. ALI Karachi