Double standards

Merit, justice and fair play are the prerequisites of a transparent society. To enforce these values, a strong, dedicated, professional and scrupulous political leadership is required. In the absence of these contributing factors, no society can groom and bring prosperity in the lifestyle of its members.

Double standards in merit, justice and honesty can easily undermine the foundations of the society and the country. As a result, people change their notions about the difference between justice and injustice, good and evil. Vested interests prevail. The desired material goals are pursued, regardless of how they may be detrimental spiritually. The relationship between fair and unfair vanishes as all good and bad options are pursued to fulfill the wishes.

The dismissal of Muhammad Ali Nekokara, a Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) officer, over non-obeying illegal directives has proved that the champion of good governance adopted double standards in governance. It is true; this termination without justification sent a wave of resentment, annoyance among the PSP officers at one glance. On the other hand, it exposed the double standards adopted by rulers in governance issues.

I remember when the PML-N led a protest rally/long march to Islamabad for the restoration of judiciary and former chief justice. At Gujranwala, a PSP officer, Athar Waheed, refused to accept orders of the then rulers to arrest workers, lawyers and leaders and was made OSD. As the governor rule ended and the PML-N government restored in Punjab, Shahbaz Shairf summoned him at the CM secretariat and appreciated his upholding the rule of law. Even Nawaz paid a salute to the PSP. Later, he was posted on a key slot in Rawalpindi to combat crimes.

Now when Nekokara repeated the same spirit, to disobey the illegal order to crack down on PTI and PAT workers during sit-ins, he was removed from service on same misconduct. This is the double standard of merit. The Model Town tragedy has put the morale of police officers at lowest ebb and the removal of Nekokara will demoralise the police force further. It is horrible that one officer was awarded while the other was penalised for the same professional conduct.

The incident conveyed a message that only brainless puppets can continue in police. The incident compels police officers to change their loyalties from state to political personalities to secure their jobs, which is very unfortunate. The sacking depicts that the guidelines given by Quaid-e-Azam to civil servants to deal with governance affairs have been forgotten by us.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2015.