Undoubtedly, words cannot gauge the travesty of the motorway incident. Had rapists been given exemplary punishment earlier, the situation would have been much different today. In this barbaric act woman in general, and a mother in particular, was molested in front of her children. The heart of every Pakistani cries. Every woman irrespective of her age is at danger. However, the response of higher-ups is absolutely disgusting. Nobody is ready to shoulder the blame.
But, despite all the frustration and anger, one needs to understand that hanging someone publicly is both inhuman and unconscionable. There is no evidence that such acts of vengeance serve as an effective deterrent. The state should not perpetuate the cycle of violence by publicly hanging people to death. Instead, the perpetrators must be given a chance of a fair trial as per the principles of law and the parameter laid down by the constitution. Remember, two wrongs do not make a right.
Ahmad Waqar Shahid
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, September 15th, 2020.
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