PPP and PML (N) were mandated by the people of Pakistan on February 18 for solution of their problems like price hike, unemployment, loadshedding, lawlessness, extremism etc, etc. But their aspirations have so for been floundered on the rock of power politics. All the social and economic ills continue unabated. The politicians seem to have forgotten the pledges they made to people during the election campaign. Instead they have entered into a loathsome war of attrition against each other and revived the old rivalry of 1980s. This is eroding their own credibility and is neither good for democracy nor for the country. The federal government of PPP, and the provincial one of PML (N) in Punjab, have full liberty to do what their leaders want them to do. But they have the task of doing something to reduce sufferings of the people as well. The artificial shortages of various commodities are being created by industrialists, businessmen, stockists, hoarders and profiteers. Dacoities, theft and daylight robberies have made life intolerable. The citizens feel insecure even in their homes. Political leaders of both parties are expected to assume responsibility of the people along with the power they hold. -RAJA SHAFAATULLAH, Islamabad, via e-mail, September 2.