Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space.
Rule of Law
We have seen this pattern repeat itself time and again. Whenever the privileged scions of Pakistan’s elite commit a crime, the issue transcends mere morbid curiosity, as it might in other countries, and instead becomes a test of the rule of law. The question invariably arises: Will Pakistan finally hold these individuals accountable, or will they once again evade justice through legal loopholes, the influence of wealth, and powerful connections?
The recent tragic accident in Karachi, in which 62-year-old Iman Arif and his 22-year-old daughter Natasha were killed, has fueled public apprehension. Shortly after manslaughter charges were filed, the suspect was not produced in court, with the police citing her psychiatric treatment at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre as the reason. In Pakistan, it is a well-known tactic for detainees to feign illness to secure more comfortable accommodations in hospitals rather than be placed behind bars.
While the court may yet indict and convict those responsible for the accident on Karsaz in Karachi, the public’s skepticism is fueled by the many other cases involving the wealthy and powerful that continue to languish in the judicial system. High-profile figures like Shahrukh Jatoi, who notoriously walked free after committing murder and Zahir Jaffer, who remains in jail despite being sentenced to death, are stark reminders of this systemic failure.
The root of the problem lies in Pakistan’s judicial system, particularly its inability to protect witnesses from intimidation and the practice of paying blood money to obtain forgiveness from victims’ families. These factors have repeatedly been used to ensure that cases quietly disappear. When justice can be bought, it creates two legal systems—one for those who can afford it and another for those who cannot. This discrimination based on creed, status and wealth undermines justice. No society can survive without fair and impartial dispensation of justice.
QAZI JAMSHED SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Illicit trade
Pakistan is currently facing a severe economic crisis, marked by high inflation and mounting debt. The country is still awaiting approval for a $7 billion, 37-month IMF loan, which comes with tough measures, including tax hikes. However, the focus should be on curbing revenue losses from illicit trade rather than imposing additional taxes on the public.
Illicit trade costs Pakistan over two trillion rupees (approximately $7 billion) annually. Major sectors contributing to this loss include real estate, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, tyres and lubricants and tea. The real estate sector alone evades 500 billion rupees in taxes each year, while the illicit tobacco trade results in 310 billion rupees in losses. Tyres and lubricants contribute 106 billion rupees in tax evasion, and the pharmaceutical industry sees 65 billion rupees in annual losses. Additionally, smuggling through the Afghan Transit Trade is projected to cost 1,000 billion rupees in import-related tax revenue.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has noted that without raising tax rates, Pakistan will continue to rely on IMF loans. Yet, raising taxes alone isn’t a viable solution. The government should instead implement a comprehensive strategy to combat illicit trade, focusing on enhanced border control, stricter regulations and better compliance monitoring.
USAMA RASOOL
Karachi
Balochistan flood crisis
Balochistan, a province in southwestern Pakistan, has been devastated by severe floods, leaving behind widespread destruction and chaos. The recent floods have claimed over 200 lives and injured more than 1,000 people. Additionally, estimates suggest that over 100,000 individuals have been displaced and more than 10,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged.
The floods have severely impacted the region’s infrastructure, with roads, bridges and communication networks suffering extensive damage, rendering many areas inaccessible. The lack of access to basic necessities such as food, water and medical care has further compounded the suffering of the affected people. While the government and relief agencies are working to provide aid and support, the scale of the disaster necessitates a more concerted effort to alleviate the suffering and assist the people of Balochistan during this critical time.
MUNAEZA NASIR
Turbat Kech
