Sir: Pakistan is facing a lot of problems. We are running out of water soon, our economy is in the doldrums, religious extremism and cases of bigotry are on the rise, and the promise of a new government that would change the status quo has turned out to be a red herring. When the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf won the elections, many in the country rejoiced that finally the long held hegemony of the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim league was finally brought to an end. Here was a party that was not only new, with fresh faces and a focus on real problems, but it was led by an Oxford University graduate, despite the fact that he spent most of his professional life either throwing a ball, or hitting it with a piece of wood. Spirits were high and they the mood further improved after the first speech of Imran Khan. However, since that day it seems everything has been going downhill for the PTI and their inexperienced leader. The episode involving Atif Mian and his removal from the Economic Advisory Council just because he is an Ahmadi was a deplorable and regressive move that did not do justice to the ideals of party that claims to create “Naya Pakistan”. Making the situation worse, was the Prime Minister’s call for all oversees Pakistanis to contribute $1000 each for the Dam fund. Not only was it embarrassing to see the head of a country begging for money, but it raised the question as to why overseas Pakistanis, most of who already live on the fringes of western societies, would ever send their hard earned money to one of the most politically corrupt countries in the world? Many in Pakistan expected a change but this begging as an economic policy wasn’t exactly what we had on our minds. Perhaps the new Prime Minister would do well to concentrate on his job, and leave the begging to those who truly need it. SALMA RAFIQUE Lahore Published in Daily Times, September 16th 2018.