Sir: Frequently, we read about acid attacks on innocent persons by sociopaths; perpetrators of one of the most heinous crimes are not even scared of the new law that could put them behind bars for 14 years, coupled with fines. I think as many have already said, unless the sale of acid is prohibited and some standard operating procedures are created to check its sale, acid attacks cannot be prevented. The easy availability of this poisonous material has put a question mark on the government’s ability to control acid attacks. IFTIKHAR MIRZA Islamabad