Muhammad Usman
THE account of what happened to a mother in front of her children on motorway, is heart rending and soul wrenching. It is a savagery of medieval times but we have to see ghastly incident of such horror every now and then while living boastfully, in a modern era. Not in so distant, gruesome tragedy of similar horror was perpetrated upon a minor girl in Kasur when her parents were in holy land for performance of pilgrimage. Every time humanity plumbs to newer depths. These incidents are by no mean mere accidents. These reflect what has permeated into our polity. From 2014 to 2017, in Punjab alone, tally of rape cases stood around 10,000. This year, there are 2043 cases registered by Punjab Police including 111 cases of gang rape. Nothing spites our conscience until one hits spot light. We rise hysterically from slumber howling for head of the culprits but sneak back into shell after administering palliative drugs of some sort. This is end of our knee jerk response with no enduring remedy. Resultantly, barbaric streak continues unabated as other maladies of ours continue unfettered, owing to similar mindset without reaching beyond the immediate.
A mere glance over previous cases would reveal that overwhelming majority of culprits belong to most trodden sections of our society. They are poor and most unfortunate but still remain at large from law. In instant instance too, main accused is a history sheeter and poor. He is involved in eight criminal cases including rape cases but is roaming freely on bail. Undeniably, our system of law/justice is very liberal for mighty, rich and influential but very stingy for poor and weak. With these aspects, straightway a question pops up in mind “who is his enabler”. In common memory, there is no such crime case where we have gone after the perpetuators, abettors and facilitators. Our quest ends with culprit who is generally a front man of these people behind the scene. This glossary of terms, we have listened only in our fight against terrorism and also saw action against them. As a result, terrorism has banished largely from our streets and alleys. In our society, crimes would not disappear until these people are brought to justice ruthlessly. This is the base from where these criminals operate and are rescued when caught. This needs to be cut if crimes are to be slashed in society. This is an imperative.
There are a large number of crime rings, operating under the umbrella of bigwigs including high ranking officials. As a whole, directly/indirectly, our society is in their clutches with ruling elite and majority of media in lockstep. They do not only remain immune from law but also call the shots to muscle their way through. The poverty and immunity make perfect combination to perpetuate crimes. In absence of law or their application, crimes take wings. The stringent laws and their equally stringent and expeditious application deter crimes. Notwithstanding imported prose and poetry of transitory times, being pursued by some liberals and pseudo intellectuals, it is an established fact of all times. The call of hanging rapists of instant case publically has merit however, Pakistan may be found dithering because of international pressure. The reason underneath is its feeble economy.
In Pakistan, by and large, laws are present in sufficient to curb/eradicate crimes but their application is awful. Instead of dissuading wrongdoers, their abuse emboldens them. The state of police is abysmal in its all spheres; intelligence, surveillance, monitoring, investigation and persecution etc. The judicial system is also atrophied and in state of stupor. The victim of rape and her family has to die many times before they may or may not get the justice. The delay in justice is all pervasive which an injustice otherwise. When more and more number of people feel or suffer buffet of such injustices, it becomes a part of their psyche which ultimately, becomes fertile ground for crimes to proliferate. Probably this is the reason that we have accepted evils of all sorts as reality among ourselves. Instead of curing them, we are more inclined to endure them. This is virtually a collapse of morals which is fundamentally a colossal loss, entailing forbidding implications. Pathetic political leadership is another notable Achilles heel. It is downright self-seeking.
No amount of calamity could force them to see reason for collective good. Whole opposition in league with PML (N), was more avid for head of CCPO Lahore than finding culprits and hand them down exemplary punishments. A few days prior to heinous incident, allegedly, PML (N) developed differences for own sake and approached the Court for his removal. With incident, they found a God sent opportunity against him albeit, admittedly, his remarks about incident were derogatory, ill-timed and from a wrong mouth. These deserved all condemnation however, after his public apology, matter would have been laid to rest but unfortunately, they continue to breathe fire for reasons best known to them. The presence of an incumbent is always better when strenuous search is going on for immediate arrest of culprits involved in grisly incident. Apart from this incident, Pakistan is immersed with numerous emergencies of stunning proportions and government is not finding the headway owing to hurdles being encountered constitutionally, institutionally and politically. All odds are stacked against it. These are dire times and dire times demand drastic measures. Could a state of emergency respond to calls of all emergencies, shaking the country?
—The writer, retired Lt Col, is freelance columnist based in Islamabad.
