IT is apropos your editorial ‘Little of substance’ (Aug 21). As a Pakistani I was disappointed to listen to the speech of Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif. It was vague and contained no concrete solutions to the severe problems and challenges facing the country, i.e. menace of terrorism, dwindling economy, inflation, unemployment, etc.

Mr Sharif offered dialogue to the militants but he did not categorically say on what basis/grounds would the dialogues be initiated with the militants. There was absence of clear-cut plan to tackle terrorism.

He did not tell the nation what his government’s national security policy entails and how it would benefit the law and order situation in the country.

About the energy crisis, like the previous government, Mr Sharif just announced a five-year plan. On drone attacks, he said he has talked to Senator Kerry that they were a violation of the sovereignty of the country.

However, the prime minister should know that mere talking would not serve the purpose; he should have asked the Senator to stop those drone attacks. The nation cannot tolerate them anymore.

Your editorial has rightly remarked that “Mr Sharif still appears indecisive” about resolving the immediate national issues. To add to it, he also looks disillusioned, helpless and unplanned.

During his election campaign he made tall promises at public processions that he and his party had found a panacea for all ills plaguing the nation.

He had also said that his party had done homework on how to resolve all those problems. However, nowhere in his speech is that homework manifested.

One may concur that Mr Sharif’s 55-minute-long address to the nation gave nothing concrete or conclusive. It was a mere repetition of all the ideas that he spoke of during the election campaign.

MUNEER DOMKILarkana