Not a single institution of this country is on the same wavelength with others
KARACHI: All our socio-politico, economic and constitutional problems suggest that not a single institution of this country is on the same wavelength with others. Their vision, mission and priorities are poles apart. One institution’s accountability is another’s revenge. One man’s mandate is other man’s denial. The common folk is forced to accept the laws, policies and other matters, relating to welfare and wellbeing, word for word, irrespective of his or her own choice and freedom. They are made to believe what their representatives say in parliament is truth.
As a result, the system is in chaos. It seems we are living in a world of parallelism. Like we have a parallel education system. Despite the fact that we have an education policy, different systems run side by side. Similarly, we have a judicial set-up in the form of courts but we also have a parallel Panchayat and Jirga sytem. Similarly, the state has police to provide security but the common man is fearful to lodge a complaint. As a result, community welfare concept and tribal system has come up to safeguard the life and property of the people. This is why every now and then we see institutions at loggerheads with one another.
Keeping all this in view, there is a dire need for a new social contract to bridge the growing gap between rulers the ruled. The state as a parent body must devise the framework for a new social contract. People must be free to choose the laws under which they live or at least have their say in the framing of these laws.
Ashfak Ahmed Siyal
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2019.
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