From the Revd Dr David L. Gosling
Sir, - I disagree with the suggestion in your news item "Police
'harass' college principal" (News, 20/27
December), relating to Edwardes College, Peshawar, that the
events described are connected with the current oppressive
situation of the Christian community in Pakistan.
They are much more likely to reflect unease about administrative
problems within the college, coupled with hostility towards anyone
associated with a country that has effectively declared war on
Pakistan by sending unmanned drones into its borderlands with
Afghanistan.
There is no mystery about the identity of the college's
unwelcome visitors, mentioned in your article: they were
representatives of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), an arm of
Pakistan's powerful military, which has the right to approve or
reject foreigners' visas.
When I was college principal, my own ISI minder offered helpful
advice about my security, and still keeps in touch occasionally by
email.
DAVID L. GOSLING
Former Principal of Edwardes College, Peshawar
2 St Luke's Mews, Searle Street
Cambridge CB4 3DF