Sir: The increasing incidents of acid-throwing violence in Pakistan are alarming for human rights defenders. The acid-throwing acts are continuing in our country and acid survivors in Pakistan are living without state protection and support. The victims of acid violence in Pakistan mostly are women and children. The attackers often target the head and face in order to damage them permanently. Acid has a devastating effect on the human body, often permanently blinding the victim and leading to the victims never being able to use their hands or other affected areas of the body. As a consequence, everyday tasks such as working and even mothering are rendered extremely difficult if not impossible. Acid attacks rarely kill but cause severe physical, psychological and social scarring and victims are often left with no legal recourse, limited access to medical or psychological assistance and without the means to support themselves. In Pakistan there is no comprehensive intervention or practice for stopping this inhuman act. TASSAWAR ALI Via e-mail