As per our Constitution, all citizens are equal and deserve respect
KARACHI: As per our Constitution, all citizens are equal and deserve respect, dignity, protection and equal rights regardless of their economic or social status. This clause is also applicable to police constables who perform their duties at various traffic intersections throughout the country. Despite the uniform they wear and the institution they represent, they are often victims of abuse, threats and insulting behaviour which is enforced by the powerful elite of our society. The recent incident of an ex-administrator of Karachi abusing and obstructing a police constable is a perfect example of this.
The police force, already manipulated by the politicians, becomes completely ineffective when its constables on duty are made vulnerable to abuse, disrespect and disobedience by our arrogant elite, whose entitled attitude makes them believe they are above the law because of their wealth, power or influence. They refuse to follow the instructions given by the officers as part of their routine job, and instead demand that they be treated differently because of the position they hold in society. Unfortunately, this segment of our society has become just as harmful and disruptive as the militant extremist groups, who also fail to see reason. The only way to alter this elitist lawlessness and to restore the respect and authority of our police forces is for the police to act firmly in accordance with the law, without any distinction of class or affiliation.
Naeem Sadiq
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2019.
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