Sir: Every Christmas and Thanksgiving, the US first family, led by the president, are seen serving dinner or lunch to the homeless. Similarly, all across Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas, the ruling political elite and opposition parties are seen to be involved in symbolic gestures on important religious festivities such as Christmas. In Arab countries and the rest of the Muslim world stretching from the Far East and Africa to Bosnia, heads of state always celebrate Eid within their countries. Thousands of our expatriates working in the Gulf and Middle East pay a premium to travel back home despite their meagre resources to celebrate Eid with their families.It is unfortunate to see this disconnect between rulers and the ruled even on occasions like Eid. As Eid nears, our ruling elite, both in power and in opposition, will be seen flying out of Pakistan to celebrate the day with their families living abroad. For these people Pakistan is an ideal country to rule while in power but no longer a place suitable to be called home for themselves or their family members when not in power. They will head to their newfound adopted homes to spend Eid with their sons and daughters living there in palatial villas. Emotions like local patriotism to place of birth are replaced by their love for huge assets located in their adopted places of residence. This disconnect is very unfortunate.MALIK TARIQLahore