Our government has announced the maximum punishment for corruption as 14 years. Corrupt people are having a good laugh at this because after 8/9 years, they would be out on parole and then they could start their business again. They would have a good time in the jail too because the jail staff, after accepting a bribe, would take good care of them. No wonder corruption/smuggling, lawlessness is on the increase. As long as severe punishments are not awarded for these crimes, things will go on as before. -COL (Retd) R.M. AKHTAR, Lahore, via e-mail, July 23.