Sir: I am writing this letter to highlight a major problem with our political system that I call ‘political footlicking’. It is highly unfortunate that in this country’s political system, it is only personalities which matter and not issues. Once someone has declared political loyalty for someone, it doesn’t matter how malicious or corrupt that someone’s policies are. His or her supporters will stand by them all the way, almost to the point of insanity. People from other parties who may be talking sense are ignored simply because our politicians feel they owe their loyalties to specific individuals or parties and not to the country itself. Our Parliamentarians must remember that they came into politics to serve the country and not their political leaders. Our assemblies must become places of healthy debate instead of vulgar mudslinging and character assassinations. This is the only way we can find rational and reasonable solutions to our problems. SHAHID SALEEM Rawalpindi Published in Daily Times, August 6th 2018.