Sir: Before invading Afghanistan, George Bush said, “There is no neutral ground in the fight between civilisation and terror, because there is no neutral ground between good and evil.” Bush at that time asked for military bases and logistical help from the then army ruler of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf. Reportedly, Bush also thrnedeate, while talking on the phone to Musharaf, that our country will be sent to the Stone Age in case of noncompliance. Like his predecessor General Zia, who fought the proxy war of the US, Musharraf fully cooperated with the masters (a term coined by General Ayub for the Americans).Our country is yet to overcome the thorns sown during the era of Zia, who made our country a US ally in the war against the Soviet Union, fought in Afghanistan. The US and its allies lavishly used their money and resources to brew religious radicalism and terrorism in this region. After achieving their goals in Afghanistan, the US and their allies abandoned the ruined country and let the religiously charged Afghans fight among themselves. According to experts, instability in Afghanistan ultimately led to the shocking incident of 9/11 in the US. The following war on terror led by the US has further complicated the situation in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Thus, the policies adopted during the dictatorial regimes, especially those of General Zia, have seriously affected the wellbeing of our country. Today our army, police and other law enforcement agencies are struggling day and night to overcome the menace of terrorism nurtured during the past three decades. We need to mind our own business, work hard to strengthen democracy, establish enduring peace and boost the economic condition of our country. DR NAEEMUD DIN KHATTAK Via EmailAA