Following the law

According to the Rule of Law Index 2016, Pakistan is the eighth most lawless country in the world. I take pity on our people when we are reduced to comparisons with Venezuela, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Egypt, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Uganda and Bolivia in this regard. This report is proof that Pakistan is badly affected by corruption, slothful court procedures, civil and criminal injustice, lack of legislation and lackadaisical law enforcement agencies.

The common man yearns for a transparent justice system, its unquestioned existence in society and speedy implementation. Law should be beyond any political party, business tycoon and monetary influence. The concept of the breach of law trickles down from top to bottom. When higher authorities do not give any heed to laws made in the country, the lower levels of society would always be inclined to perceive the system in a perfunctory manner. They would always want to develop relations with the upper level authorities for helping them to get away with any potential breach of the law. So the network of contacts comes into play. Unfortunately, despite having a complete set of laws in the country, they are not implemented. The act of discrimination between different groups and different people says all.

Recently, a Saudi prince was executed after being found guilty of murder charges. No royal family could save him. Another example that we have in front of us is of China. One of their ministers was recently found involved in corruption and their court has announced punishment for him. Whereas our ministers (former and incumbent) are enjoying their lives with no tension because they know that they will extend their cases through their lawyers. We, in Pakistan, have a mysterious system where the real culprits are at large and the ones who should be given justice are on the streets and in the courts begging for fair treatment. Either the court just prolongs the case indefinitely or passes a result that is largely incomprehensible. Two brothers were recently exonerated for their crimes and the court ordered that they be pronounced innocent and released from the jail; in actual fact those two brothers were already hanged and executed a year ago. Where is the justice? Where are the laws? Where is the true implementation? Now what should happen is that the concerned thana should be prosecuted for killing these two innocent brothers against the order of the court. Obviously the chances are high that the other party bribed the whole thana for giving the brothers phansi.

Any developed nation tends to stand on its strong judicial system and the implementation of its laws. Unfortunately, we live in a country where the rule of law is lacking; justice is delayed and hence it is denied; where the court system and the law enforcement agencies have nothing to offer the public is left with no other option but to go on the streets (action which in itself constitutes a separate debate) and our criminal justice system allows significant abuse of the system, with a powerful criminal allowing a weak victim to forgive, thus absolving the perpetrator of any wrongdoing under the law.

Unfortunately, we live in a country where law is only for the weak and the strong can sneak out very easily. Even when the pressure is built and strong or rich culprit is put into jail, he is still amused with all the luxuries, ranging from protocol to lavish food to being taken care of by being provided soft mattress to being able to cavort with anyone he would otherwise meet. Riches can get them out of jail, can prolong the case, can get the other person threatened or killed so that the case is not pursued further and can get evidence erased. And then through all of this when the poor are denied justice, frustration simmers in them and they are bound to commit suicide or spend the rest of their life in distress and acceptance of the circumstances. Till when will we live through this?

Implementing the laws is the real question in our country. Every single person, whoever breaks the law, should be punished no matter if he is president or a poor man. We need to destroy corruption at all cost. Until laws are implemented in our country similar to Germany, Singapore, the UK or any other developed country, our corrupt leaders, murderers and rapists will walk freely.

We are those who do not fear God but run and hide from the honest implementation of law. This is a wrong our country needs to rectify with all due urgency. Progress comes with peace and order.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2016.

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