In recent years we have witnessed numerous incidents where lawyers have left us highly disappointed
JOHI: The dismal condition of today’s Pakistan is such that morals have decayed. It seems that no one is ready to contribute to society and everyone is leading a selfish life. Teachers are not teaching, instead they are spreading ignorance while the much criticised politicians and police are working against their own stated and well-defined professional ethos. Almost all societal actors are pulling the system in the opposite direction, tearing the fabric of society to shreds. But the system survives due to sincerity and commitment of few. However, space for the few is shrinking with each passing day. Take the example of the recent anarchist and violent “protest” by lawyers in Lahore which took the lives of three patients. Lawyers are supposed to protect and uphold the law. Lawyers are supposed to set examples by abiding by the law. These lawyers have degenerated to the extent that they are crushing the law under their own boots. Their level of intolerance is touching the sky. This is land of the pure where one should not wear power on his or her sleeves. The trend of misusing power is gaining primacy and the one who does not abuse it is considered a coward or a miser.
Lawyers that took part in the movement of Pakistan under the able, illustrious and upright leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam did not misuse their prominence after the independence of Pakistan. Lawyers took part in the 1960s and 1983 movements against dictators but after gaining success along with students and activists they did not act stubborn. The decay started soon after the lawyers’ most glorious movement against the third dictatorship of Musharraf. The lawyers started indulging in blackmailing, coercing and harassing their clients and other members of society. They did not hesitate in hurling threats and using violence even against honourable judges. Days when the vulnerable and the weak took a sigh of relief when they approached a lawyer are gone. Something should be done about this and fast. The hooliganism witnessed at cardiac hospital in Lahore recently shows the state of our society. They are supposed to help in establishing a sane society. But in recent years we have witnessed numerous incidents where lawyers have left us highly disappointed. It is time the whole society got together to think what has gone wrong and suggest ways and means in order to stem the rot.
Gulsher Panhwer
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2019.
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