'System of justice and fairness pivotal for a developed nation'

KU hosts seminar on 'Know Your Rights'


News Desk April 07, 2018
PHOTO: FILE

We can only become a developed nation by adopting a system based on justice and fairness.

This was stated by Karachi University (KU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan at a seminar, 'Know Your Rights', organised on Friday by KU's management consultancy and training services and All Pakistan Security Agencies Association (APSAA).

We must promote national thinking, keeping aside our personal differences and need to take serious measures to eliminate sectarianism, terrorism, social injustice and discrimination from our society, Dr Khan said, adding that we are all a part of this society.

Former Sindh inspector-general of police Niaz A Siddiki said that change is brought by the minority not the majority, after which the majority follows the minority. If someone files a complaint against anyone, it is the duty of the complainant to prove their allegations, but unfortunately in our system, enquiries are started once a complaint is received, Siddiki said, adding that confessions cannot forcefully be obtained from an accused.

"It is quite commonly observed that when someone is arrested the next news is about the accused confessing to many crimes. The question is, before whom has the accused confessed to those crimes?" he said, adding that a crime has to be proven with evidence in a court of law.

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"A responsible citizen must be aware of their rights and protect them. We must stand up for the weaker members of society and humanity. The process of change starts from an individual and then spreads in society," maintained human rights expert Fauzia Tariq.

Laws against crimes over domestic violence, honour killings, child marriage and sexual violence are now part of our Constitution and so are the punishments, she said.

Giving examples of the Kasur and Sialkot incidents, Tariq added that awareness must be created on human rights and social media was a great tool in this regard for the protection of human rights.

Crime Investigation Agency DIG Dr Amin Yousufzai said that we have the police law which was enforced in 1861 by the British government and even at that time, it was not considered in accordance with human rights. "We inherited the same law of 1861 on our independence in 1947 and have failed to change it till date," he said.

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"We often hear complaints about police officials, but the public must continue delivering their complaints to us and know their rights," he said.

APSAA Chairperson Major (retd) Munir Ahmed said that private security guards can protect people's rights and counter crimes. "They [private guards] do lack in some areas, but we are trying to improve. A private security company is registered after a complete process," he said.

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