Sheltering terrorists

Pakistan is fully aware about India’s reluctant position in taking stern action against the most wanted criminals hiding there (editorial, “Rogues’gallery: Pakistan safe haven for India’s most wanted”, May 13). The world knows that China and the US don’t see eye to eye on international matters. Both have different ideology, governments, policies and way of thinking. To one’s surprise both provide moral and financial assistance to Pakistan and keep deep interest in it.

India’s relations with China have never been good and chances of friendship are remote. China-India relations might have compelled China to be more close to Pakistan. Lack of support from Pakistan, weakness and will power compelled the USSR to withdraw from Afghanistan providing chances to the US to intervene and making Pakistan an ally to bring stabilisation in Afghanistan.

These international developments when put together and analysed give importance to Pakistan’s logistic position for world powers and pave way for Pakistan to take anti-Indian stance. Nuclear power capability has added another feather to its cap. So far as taking US-type extreme step against extremists hiding in Pakistan is concerned, India should first exploit its diplomatic channels and continue to maintain pressure at every international forum and bilateral talks. If situation warrants India must not hesitate in taking the extreme step.

Dr KAMALJEET KAUR SEKHON, Patiala

II

On the shooting down of Osama bin Laden by the US commandos at Abbottabad in Pakistan, it can be said without any doubt that  Pakistan is a real rogue nation. Osama was killed, not in any remote hideout in any tribal area of Pakistan but in Abbottabad, which is just a few kilometres away from the Pakistan Military Academy and merely 60 miles from Islamabad and the series of incidents suggest nothing else but how the Pakistan government always knew about the whereabouts of Osama and also provided him a safe haven.

It clearly indicates the fact that the Pakistan’s government always knew about Osama, and similarly they know about all such other such extremist leaders and groups, about whom they habitually and perpetually feign ignorance.

The raid that ended in Osama’s death netted a huge cache of intelligence information. Computer hard drives and other documents point out that there was a support network from Pakistan military and the ISI in Abbottabad that sustained Osama while he was in hiding. Abbotabad episode has once again proved that Pakistan is a safe haven to provide asylum to international terror outfits and to give all possible aid to these insurgents through the ISI.

When President Obama called his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari to inform him of the mission accomplished, what did it mean? It was clear that the US does not trust Pakistan.

SUMAN KUKAL, Chandigarh.

Nursing education

The article “Nursing education is a mess” by Radha Saini (May 12) needs special attention of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for upgrading the service standard as the quality has become a major focus in the health care especially in quality assurance, quality improvement and patient’s safety. Nursing is a noble profession. Florence Nightingale became a pioneer of modern nursing in whose memory May 12 is celebrated as the International Nurses Day.

The efficiency of hospitals depends on the care provided by qualified and  trained nurses. It is surprising that there is only one nursing advisor at the Centre to suggest ways and means for further improving the quality of education at the nursing schools/colleges and services in the hospitals. The need of the hour is to strengthen the inspection criteria of the Indian Nursing Council.

HARISH K MONGA, Ferozepur

II

In this era where education has acquired the shape of industry, it is futile to expect inculcation of moral values among the nursing students. Commercialisation of education has led to deterioration in the standards of nursing profession where integrity is not only an additional asset for the profession but also a basic requirement for the same. Nursing is a profession that has ample potential to serve humanity. But the commercial atmosphere in which they live will never let them think so.