A Reader Writes to Alaiwah

I am saddened at what is happening to my country these days. Pakistan is being fragmented because of a lack of wisdom and unity amongst politicians of all parties. They are a clutch of feudal lords, bourgeois thugs and criminals who probably do not even understand what the GDP of Pakistan is. Ms Bhutto shouts the slogan of democracy as if it were a piece of [bread] - it will bring jobs, housing and butter to over 100 million deprived and poorest, and bring prosperity to the country. They are all talking about restoration of the abrogated constitution, respect for the judiciary and the introduction of democracy but none of the leaders has any direction, mandate, manifesto or policy to lead the country in the right direction. Whenever you see or hear this bunch of capricious politicians on the TV screens or rallies, all they do is squabble about the political past and never discuss what they have in the bag for the future prosperity and stability of Pakistan. I would like see that these politicians to come on TV and discuss face-to- face and present their plans as they do in the West. [I want to hear them discuss] real issues and their economic, foreign, defence, internal, regional and employment etc policies to alleviate poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, hunger, reduce inflation etc and they will bring> political stability. In fact, these politicians have no policies > but are hungry to get into power to fill theirs coffers at the first opportunity. We do not> want full-neutrals, half-neutrals, semi-neutrals and detached neutrals,politicians and those mentioned in a [Nov 14 Letter to the Editor] from Colonel> Riaz Jafri, Rtd; we want straight forward and honest leaders who will unite the country and not disintegrate it for their individual greed and politicalambitions. At least, I give credit to General Musharraf for speaking about his economic direction and future plans for Pakistan, which the other political leaders do not have.

Jalal Rumi