The news of Mr. Tariq Aziz's engagement by Zardari government has perturbed many people around the country. Mr. Aziz was one of the three Azizez (favorite persons) of President Musharraf and the biggest pillar of his setup. He never came into limelight yet no one reportedly exercised as much influence over last regime's policies as he did. He had been one of the most controversial figures of the previous era. The PPP leadership was among the leading critics of those policies during its struggle against the dictator - at least, prior to the NRO. Considering Mr Aziz's name for some important assignment will be tantamount to stabbing public in the back that voted for PPP on the promise of departure from policies of the Musharraf government. Employing the same policy makers will open PPP to the charge of being hypocritical. -IMRAN HOTIANA, Lahore, via e-mail, October 27.