Hamesh Khan, former MD of the Bank of Punjab, slipped away in broad daylight leaving the state spooks holding the can. They say he swindled at least Rs. 17 billions from the bank coffers, enriching his influential friends on fake documents and collaterals. Those who gobbled up these bank loans were powerful enough to protect Hamesh Khan lest he was nabbed and spilled beans. They flew him out of country, reportedly, from Peshawar airport. When questioned those responsible for his arrest said Hamesh was such a common name in NWFP that it was difficult to keep tabs on every Hamesh in Peshawar. Plausible indeed I think the state is not treating Hamesh justly at a time when billions siphoned off by other smart alecks have been pardoned through NRO. What had Hamesh done that was so wrong; helped his clients make a hole in the bank while enriching himself in the process? Isn't that what everybody, given the opportunity, would do? Banks in any case never go in a loss; they enhance their mark-up and recover from ordinary borrowers what they lose to big fish. I would request the authorities to show some equitable sense of justice, pardon Hamesh under the aegis of NRO and allow him to return home. -MEHRAN LEGHARI, Lahore, via e-mail, September 20.