Azam Khalils column Zia and Bhutto: A tale of betrayal (7 April) gives just one side of the tale, and in that too leaves many gaps and skips answering obvious questions. It was actually a tale of two betrayals. Both characters had betrayed: one betrayed the head of the government, the other had betrayed the country and then the poor masses, who being unaware of this aspect had looked upon him as a messiah. Mr Khalil remarks that Hafeez Pirzada and Begum Nusrat Bhutto, among others, recommended Zia should be appointed as Chief of Army Staff, but does not explain that strange phenomenon. Similarly, he does not explain what compelled Bhutto to choose Zia for the key post, while, as it is known, there were six competent lieutenant generals who were senior to him? We know it is the season of Bhuttoism (whatever it means). But it is also the era of leaks and disclosures. Besides, people should know the bitter aspects of this politicised subject. According to the author, Zia-ul-Haq, as a Major General, travelled to Cairo on a tour sponsored by CIA. In fact, most probably, he had been in CIAs sight since 1964, when he was undergoing the Army Staff Course at Fort Leavenworth, USA. Bhutto received similar attention even earlier. Sadly, it was the same agency which spotted them, guided their careers, got the desired work done, then had them terminated. Mr Khalil mentions two other betrayals. He says, The PM trusted the ISI chief [Gen Jilani] a lot; then further on says, Jilani double-crossed the PM. He states, The British government knew about the coming coup. Why it failed to warn the PM? He leaves the puzzles unsolved. There is a greater puzzle: how did Mr Bhutto, said to be very intelligent, let himself be betrayed by certain key persons whom he had chosen on the basis of loyalty to him? TARIQ MAJEED, Lahore, April 10.