Those who mauled the constitution

LOS ANGELES: This is with reference to Syed Masudul Hassan’s “Those who mauled the constitution” (July 6). Mr Hasan has done a great service by propagating the objectives of the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association (Pesa) and its laudable performance so far. It’s well known that Pesa added to the nervousness of an already panic-stricken Musharraf. But I do not support the writer’s views on broadening, and thereby diffusing, the scope of the association’s objectives.

Our armed forces, along with the intelligence agencies, consume the bulk of our national resources. All three armed forces have encroached into non-military, industrial, commercial and business pursuits. Therefore, Pesa should confine itself for the present to the armed forces. A lot needs to be done to open up what people believe is another state within Pakistan. In the name of national security, everything in the military establishment is shrouded in mystery. Pesa’s major contribution could be to keep a careful watch and inform the nation when any malpractice takes place.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2010.