Sir: Newspapers, television, or for that matter, any news broadcasting medium is filled with stories of terror and shocking incidents that have brutalised the length and breadth of this country due to lawlessness. The threat to our national security has risen to an unprecedented level and there is no respite in sight. People are being robbed of peace. Lawlessness has tormented our economic prospects to the level that foreign investment has dipped down to a new low. It is usually in such a situation that people take up arms against the system to snatch liberty, out of restlessness and poverty. As a first step toward improvement, our rulers would have to become law-abiding citizens. Unless they follow the law in letter and spirit, the masses would not take heed to become responsible citizens. I appeal to the high command of Pakistan to make homeland security their number one priority. Similarly, stringent action should be taken against people involved in violent acts. SUMAIRA NAEEM AKHTAR Karachi