I READ I.A. Rahman`s review (April 13) of Jamal Nagvi`s book, Leaving the Left Behind with great interest since I had already gone through the book.

The review, honestly, came as a rude shock as it was hard to understand if Rahman was being sarcastic, and, if yes, over what? There were half-formed implications about both the book and Naqvi. The factual inaccuracy committed at the very beginning was itself the most off-putting element in the review.

When Naqvi was having to take the decisions by himself, Nazeer Abbasi was still alive albeit in hiding. They were both arrested on the same day (July 30, 1980; Page 82) where Abbasi died and Naqvi came out several years later. While undergoing almost a year-long solitary confinement, there was no way Naqvi could have been running party affairs, as has been suggested by Rahman (para 5).

Besides, the decisions Rahman has cited relate to Nagvi`s post-release period (1986).

To create a misplaced image in the minds of the readers who have not gone through the book yet can hardly be called fair comment.

Finally, both the text of the review and the technical details listed at the end of it have put the book in the category of `History` which it surely is not. It is a memoir, a subjective view of how the protagonist saw it happening, not a rigorous piece of history or a theoretical criticism of the doctrine.

Rahman, the senior writer and intellectual that he is, could have surely done better than the current effort which often sounds below the belt without letting the readers know the reason behind his uncharacteristic scorn.

Dr Syed Talha Iqbal Karachi US thanked LET`S thank the US for being so generous to Pakistan time and again.

Since 1947, the US has given to Pakistan more aid than any other country and has rescued it during its tough moments. Pakistan has also remained the strongest ally of the US since 1947. During the cold war, Pakistan was a frontline state and the integral unit of Cento and Seato against the USSR.

In the 1970s, unfortunately there was paradigm shift in Pakistan`s policies towards the US. Despite that, in the 1980s the US helped Pakistan and anti-Soviet fighters to liberate Afghanistan. After 9/11 Pakistan and the US again became allies in the war on terror. Currently Pakistan is major non-Nato ally of the US. Hence the US supportsPakistan on every front.

Those who criticise Pakistan-US friendship are no friends of Pakistan. We are not concerned with what is happening in Syria, Ukraine, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Libya and other countries. Our priority should be Pakistan.

I would like to say a big `thank you` to the US for rescuing Pakistanis from the commercial oil tanker `Morning Glory` hijacl(ed by Libyan armed groups.

Saif RK Islamabad EOBI pensioners IT is heartening to learn that the National Assembly`s Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development took a serious note of what the participants termed as meagre pension being paid to retired citizens by the EOBI, and recommended that it should be increased to Rs6,000 per month.

The MNA and all members of the committee deserve commendations for their care and attention towards senior citizens drawing pensions through the EOBI. It seldom happens in our country that that the matters of interest, demands and grievances of marginilised sections of the people are addressed on their own by our parliamentarians.

However there are many a slip twixt cup and lip. Now that they have passed the resolution, I appeal to them to follow it through to get it realised. It may be pointed out here that though increases were made in the pensions of government servants in the last budget, EOIB pensioners were ignored.

Ahmed Razi Siddiqui Karachi CNG shortfall PAKISTAN is regarded as the third largest consumer of compressed natural gas (CNG) but in this present time Pakistan is facing worst shortfall of CNG. A decade ago the government converted huge numbers of vehicles to CNG without making any planning and now the situation is getting worse.

The non-availability of CNG creates a bad impact on people`s social and personal life.

However, the situation can improve if the administration takes right steps like reducing the number of CNG stations, legalising the present ones and exploring new gas reservoirs.

Zakia Awan LahoreTeachers` shortage MOST government colleges for boys in Sargodha district arefacing shortage of teachers. Specially, I would like to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned that 22 postsofteachershave beenlyingvacant at the Govt Postgraduate College for Boys at Miani, Sargodha, for a long time.

According to the senior official of the Education Department (College Wings),there are 35 seats of lecturers, assistant professors and professors sanctioned for this college, out of which only 13 teachers are performing their duties.

The posts of teachers for Biology, Mathemetics, History, Computer, Economics, Arabic and Sociology are lying vacant.The shortage of teachers is badly affecting the studies of students. I was also a student of this college and had to waste one year of my life because of this situation.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and otherofhcialsconcerned shouldlookintothe problem.

Nasir Habib Rana Lahore Doctors with guns DOCTORS, for a long time, have used unwarranted and excessive medication which leads to deaths of their patients.

The state has now decided to help out and make this task easier and swifter.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh, thetwo role models in efficiency and wisdom, have agreed to patronise this industry by giving gun licences to all doctors.

It may be best if the patients weigh their options between staying at home and dying a natural death, or be treated to a one-shot departure by a fully-armed doctor.

Needless to say that the doctors and hospitals, once symbols of peace and humanity, are now high-risk people and places. The medical superintendent of district headquarters hospital, Charsadda, who also leads the medico-militant brigade of the hospital, has already fired the `first shots`.

Media reports confirm that he was arrested by the police for firing in the hospital premises and injuring two persons. Eyewitnesses said the doctor resorted to indiscriminate firing in the hospital`s emergency ward, injuring health workers and their relatives.

Often symbolised by white coat and a stethoscope, doctors are held in high regard all over the world. In Pakistan, they have instead opted for a bullet-proof jacket and a Kalashnikov.

Will the ethical and principled members of this esteemed community stand up to reject this madness and take a public position to say `no to guns`.

Naeem Sadiq Karachi Islamabad metro service THE prime minister has launched the Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus project which will be completed within a year and cost us Rs44 billion. The project will cater to about 150,000 commuters.

Similar projects are envisaged for Multan and other major cities. The new Islamabad airport project has also been given a target date for its completion by the prime minister.

The interest of the premier and his brother, the Punjab chief minister, in building such projects is certainly praiseworthy. They are great builders like the Mughals. But the trouble is that their priorities are a little lopsided from the viewpoint of balanced economic growth.

Should not security, law and order, energy, education, health and poverty alleviation be our top priorities at this stage? Going for these mega projects is like a poor child buying toys he sees a rich man`s child playing with, using all his meagre resources and in the process staying uneducated, unsheltered, insecure, hungry and weak.

Perhaps ourrulersalsofeelthatusing resources onhealth,education,povertyalleviation, etc., is a long-term process and will show results af ter some years when they are not in power while they want to show quick results.

Malik Shayaan Afzal Islamabad `A return to purdah` THIS refers to Rafia Zakaria`s article `A return to purdah` (March 21) which provided astrikinglyidentihable articulation of the often parasitical behaviour women seem to exhibit towards men in order to outdo each other.

I do not, however, agree with her labelling this behaviour asabyproduct ofpurdah.

True purdah, from an Islamic perspective, is not meant to degrade women. Instead, it is meant to empower them. The concept of purdah, its physical and spiritual teachings alike, gives women the ability to be seen for more than their physical aspects.

It gives them the ability to pursue a career outside of their homes if they so wish, all the while protecting their sanctity as women. If purdah in its true religious sense was practised, it would not invite backbiting, pestering, and bickering as outlined by the writer.

Rather, it would involve women and men who had the power to treat people and be treated in a just manner.

Najia Humayun Tunnel Hill, USA Gomal University RECENTLY Gomal University was closed for 15 days because of threat received from a banned organisation. Now there is chance of further closure for one month.

My question to higher authorities is: whether this is the solution to the problem.

Meanwhile, our university faces a financial crisis due to corruption.

There is loadshedding, especially at night I request the chief minister and the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to pay attention to the university`s issues.

M. Haroon Wazir D.L Khan Letters should not exceed 350 words, and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Letters should carry the writer`s address, CNIC and phone numbers.-Editor