Sir: Unfortunately our ruling elite, particularly in my home province Sindh, is notorious for protecting the public officials involved in corruption and crime. They even shield the dacoits who have robbed and ruined the peace of Sindh. I am sure this attitude is prevalent across the country. At this crossroads, we need to take pause and introspect about the reasons for this plight. We are fast becoming a nation of soulless and heartless people. The culture of violence, aggression and perversion has become a way of life. The constitution is merely a piece of paper considered only to fight cases in courts. We need to find out what has gone wrong with us? Why has society degenerated so low? Unless we know the causes, how could we remedy the situation? Hashim Abro Islamabad