Whither civic sense

Letter July 23, 2014
Our children are being brought up in midst of all-pervading hypocrisy of our apathetic, corrupt, bigoted environment.

KARACHI: A few days ago, I hazarded out to visit a relative. On my way I noticed a lot of similar sights. As we drove towards the Metropole Hotel in Karachi, I noticed that from the Aisha Bawany school onwards, some very tall walls and barricades had been built — lined across much of Sharae Faisal and encroaching upon this key artery — to protect military residences and offices. The Cantonment Station road and the lane ahead were closed off by troops to safeguard military facilities. As I turned towards Clifton, the Qasre Naz State Guest complex area was similarly defended.

I would request our Supreme Court, the military high command and our politicians if they can spare the time, to ponder on the following:

Pakistan is fighting a war largely of its own making. Leaders, law enforcers and the military are also targeted but most have the ability and obvious freedom to arm, protect and build walls around themselves using the nation’s resources. But what about the common man? The disintegration of the unprotected civic society which is denied constitutional rights, is looted, extorted, terrorised, even butchered, and now internally displaced by the hundreds of thousands, continues unabated. With only God to turn to for help, is it surprising for anyone that we are an anarchic country with everyone for himself as the Law of the Jungle rules?

Our children are being brought up in the midst of the all-pervading hypocrisy of our apathetic, corrupt and bigoted environment. In the absence of accountability, transparency and law and order, will they be concerned about the niceties of civic sense and good governance? The answer is blowing in the wind!

Dr Mervyn Hosein

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2014.

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