A COUPLE of years ago I read the autobiography of Gen Colin Powell, who later on served as US secretary of state.

While in active service, he was posted as national security adviser and this is what he has to say about his tenure there:

”I’d enjoyed many perks in my job as national security adviser but no home-to-work transportation was authorised by Congress in my new post.

So, there I was running a million person operation and driving to work in a gasping, gas-guzzling 16-year-old Chrysler station wagon, which left oil puddles in front of FORSCOM’s brand new $40 million headquarters.

But once I got to the office, Otis could legitimately chauffeur me around to my official appointments in a gleaming government-issued Mercury.

By the way, the general also fondly remember, playing racquetball with his driver, Otis Pearson. This should be an eye opener for Pakistanis.

HILAL AHMED Karachi