M A I L B A G

Democracy must succeed in Pakistan

H.K. Dua’s front-page editorial, “Better Musharraf leaves on his own than told to do so” (Feb 20) is very apt at this juncture of Pakistan’s history when its electorate have reposed faith in democracy rather than in military rule and dictatorship.

Ever since its creation, Pakistan has been misgoverned by its over-ambitious Army generals and paranoid mullahs. Pakistan is a beautiful country endorsed with abundant natural resources and a hard working population. It is now for the people and their elected representatives to ensure that the country embraces the newly acquired democracy permanently and to demarcate clear-cut boundaries for its Army and religious leaders.

Furthermore, its new rulers also need to review the foreign policy. Good relations with neighbours will see Pakistan emerge as a self-reliant developing nation. Mr Musharraf will do a great service to the nation if he voluntarily quits rather than indulging in misplaced patriotism.

L. R. SHARMA, Sundernagar

II

The Pakistan People’s Party, the single largest party in the new National Assembly, has vowed to restore Parliament’s supremacy by undoing the undemocratic provisions under which elected parliamentarians have been dismissed. It is, however, feared that President Musharaaf could still thwart popular mandate against him. If he indeed succeeds, the nation cannot afford it.

The time has come for the people to begin a new war of independence against the military rule. Democracy alone can help people live in peace and harmony with equal opportunities.

JAGTAR SINGH ANANDPURI, Mohali

III

Military dictators and despotic rulers in the world, with a few exceptions, are either killed or removed through violent uprisings. Mr Musharraf could not be removed through agitation, but the people have voted him out. Whether he quits or stays entrenched, only time will tell.

Mr Musharraf is a star manipulator. He sabotaged Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s peace bus yatra and his misadventure led to the Kargil conflict. When Musharraf was in loop for nuclear proliferation, he promptly sacrificed the top nuclear scientist, Dr A. Q. Khan, who is said to be father of “Islamic Atom Bomb”.

H. S. BADHAN, Hoshiarpur

Poor healthcare

I read A.J. Philip’s three-part report on the poor condition of Punjab’s hospitals (Feb 4, 5 and 6). It is a fact that medical treatment has become costlier these days. Private hospitals and nursing homes are minting money because of the collapse of the public healthcare system. The government should equip its hospitals with latest infrastructure as in private hospitals. Otherwise, people will completely lose faith in public healthcare services.

The Punjab government should make more budgetary allocation for the health sector so that it could provide free medicare to the poor as in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Senior citizens, too, deserve state aid.

SHER SINGH, Ludhiana

II

The condition of government hospitals in Punjab is highly deplorable. Owing to the poor services, not only the rich but also the poor prefer to go to private hospitals despite their tight pockets. There, the medicines either run out of stock or are sold through the backdoor. Most doctors remain absent from their duties, for they also do private practice at their homes.

It is time for the Punjab government to provide a clean and healthy environment to the people. The public distribution system needs to be strengthened. Guilty doctors must be punished. And there is a need to improve transparency, utilization, accountability and quality of services through the development of a good health management information system.

SOURABH BAMBA, Ferozepore City