In earlier times, lawyers who ransacked judge’s court-room would be penalised. Now, it seems no one can touch them.
KARACHI: There was a time when men of integrity had nothing to fear, unlike in the case of Pervez Ali Shah who (instead of being honoured) has been forced to leave his post of judge of the anti-terrorism courts in Rawalpindi.
Why have we sunk to this level? In earlier times, lawyers who ransacked the judge’s court-room would have been penalised. Now, it seems that no one can touch them. It should be fairly easy to identify some of them and asked to explain their behaviour. At least they will think twice before breaking the law again. We still have our electricity and telephones disconnected if we don’t pay our bills on time (unless we are feudal lords). Why can’t people be made to obey the rules? Almost all drivers on our roads deliberately go jump the red light. Once, not long ago, such drivers would have had their licences revoked.
Very few are punished now for doing what should not be done. Is this because those who rule the country are habitual law-breakers themselves?
It all boils down to a rather simple question: who will enforce the law?
Shakir Lakhani
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2011.
