LAHORE: Feisal H Naqvi (“Bloggers vs thanedars”, Jan 31), thanks to his ability to articulate complex moral and legal issues simply, yet most incisively, strikes a chord with any believer in basic justice.
In particular we owe him a profound gratitude for being willing to put his money and resources where his pen and mouth are. While his offer of free legal help to the otherwise hapless victims of Maya Khan’s utterly misguided vigilantism is now thankfully not required, Mr Naqvi’s services may well be needed by the victims of the PIC free medicines tragedy, whose devastating reach is still unknown.
There has been a worthy precedent set by many lawyers who offered free services to assist the families of the Air Blue tragedy seek some answers and justice, both for themselves as well as for all those who travel the skies each day. I think that education and cosmopolitanism, apart from sincere help from many influential individuals, may have been vital factors in the Air Blue Crash Affectees Group (ACAG) getting organised into a potent force. Today, the ACAG is a beacon of hope for all those seeking some modicum of justice in this benighted land.
Unfortunately, the PIC medicine fiasco seems to have hit the least literate, indigent and disenfranchised the hardest and thus we may not see any replication of the ACAG. Perhaps it is here, more than in any other cause, for someone like Mr Naqvi to offer his arsenal of legal skills. Civil society can hold candlelight vigils but it would be more effective if those who have legal expertise offer it to the group of victims and families affected in the tragedy.
Mr Naqvi and others who may help can seek further motivation from the fact that the Chief Justice has taken suo motu notice of this tragedy. Mr Naqvi does in any event deserve a heartfelt thank you from all of us for his admirable public posture.
Professor Wasif M Khan
School of Management,
Forman Christian College
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2012.
