THIS is apropos of the article ‘Lessons to learn from Germany’ (June 4), which is informative but leaves certain aspects which are relevant when we discuss Germany.

There are many differences between Germany and Pakistan. First, Germany has always been an industrial nation and its people are as educated and well-versed in science as those of other industrial nations of Europe.

We must not forget that democracy was forced on Germany by the ‘victors’ after World War II. The allied forces of the US, Great Britain and France made sure that the authoritarian nature of Germany did not surface again.

Although the allied forces declared West Germany independent, their presence in large numbers did not make any room for Germans to upset the status quo. Only when the ruling government was defeated in 1969 by democratic means and Willie Brandt took over as Bundes Kansler that the allies felt relieved from a German future.

The maturity of a nation, therefore, requires not only industrial power but also respect for the law and honest communication with the opposition.

After 65 years of Pakistan’s existence, no government to date has completed its full term and no change of government has taken place through normal elections.

I have lived in Germany for the last four decades and have witnessed positive changes in the German way of living. They have not only become richer than other nations, but also more tolerant.

The young, however, are not as hard-working like their forefathers, but most of them still believe that a ‘job well done is what counts’. It is not the attitude most other nations have.

SHARIF LONE Nidderau, Germany