Does family of every Pakistani killed by assailants, because of inadequate protection by state, receive Rs10 million?
KARACHI: Doling out large sums at will was at the discretion of ancient emperors. Modern-day salaried rulers are certainly not permitted to adopt this free-spirited indulgence. They ought to abide by the concepts of equity and fair application of law. Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan insists that all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection under law. Can the president of the US or the prime minster of the UK arbitrarily announce a grant of $10 million to the family of a deceased citizen? No they cannot — unless it happens to be a personal donation. How is it that the prime minister of Pakistan can announce a grant of Rs10 million of taxpayers’ money to the family of a deceased individual — regardless of how brilliant or accomplished the person might be? This is an issue of principle and certainly not intended to take away anything from one of the finest artists and human beings, who was gunned down by assailants a few days back.
One needs to ask a few questions. Does the family of every Pakistani who is killed by assailants, because of inadequate protection by the state, receive Rs10 million? Do the families of soldiers and policemen who die fighting the enemies of the state receive Rs10 million? Do the families of those who are lynched by mobs because they believe in a different faith receive Rs10 million? Do the families of those burnt alive in factories and furnaces because of failure of the state to enforce safety systems also receive Rs10 million?
Pakistan is not a fiefdom. A state vying for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group ought to exhibit more rational, lawful and accountable behaviour. Could we request the prime minister to create a fair and equitable compensation mechanism for all citizens and to cough up the recently announced grant of Rs10 million from his personal acquisitions, whether they be inside or outside Pakistan?
Naeem Sadiq
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2016.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
