Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Challenges for new CJP
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said, “It is time to look at the many challenges the country is facing, challenges that inevitably end up at the door of the higher judiciary.” The new CJP in his observations highlighted one of the most significant indicators of the judiciary’s success, is its ability to clear the backlog of pending cases.
Outlining the road-map for the Supreme Court during his tenure, the CJP underscored the backlog of cases as one of the two major challenges, the other being ‘scandalisation’ of judges. It is very important to find a way to reduce the case backlog in the country. Long delays in the process mean no justice at all and cases remain pending for years. The past few years have seen an increasing focus on higher judiciary, partly due to high-profile cases, and partly due to astounding number of suo motu notices taken, some of which could be seen as intervening in matters beyond judicial jurisdiction.
Some of the attention has, no doubt, led to what could be seen as scandalisation of the judiciary. It is, no doubt, absolutely necessary, for justice to be done, that judges are not made the target of scorn or baseless allegations regarding their character and person. Justice Bandial has also stressed that the constitution and law be upheld. Pakistan needs a pro-people justice system without any compromise on its fundamental tenets.
The country needs protection of human rights at all costs and no excuse should be admissible for violating fundamental rights such as freedom of assembly, association, expression and movement. Whenever unconstitutional and illegal measures get an approval from the apex courts, it spells doom for democracy and human rights. A non-interventionist and principled higher judiciary that works within constitutional boundaries can help set a judicial standard in the country under a new chief justice.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Irresponsible reporting
This is with reference to irresponsible and non-professional attitude shown by reporters of both print and electronic media of the country during their reporting. Sorry to say that reporters have often assumed the role of investigators, prosecutors and judges. It is good to see that media in Pakistan (both electronic and print) are free to report any thing yet some immature and non-professional reporters have taken undue advantage of such freedom and have been reporting in a manner as they have sole authority to pass final judgment in a matter.
Such media reporters, in no time, depict the person as criminal and culprit without showing other side of the story knowing that such a task belongs to courts of the country. The basic responsibility of a professional reporter is to present report regarding a matter before its viewers or readers in an unbiased manner.
It has often been seen that media reporters in Pakistan sensationalise many news without any homework. Pakistani reporters must be mature enough to remain within their professional domain. They must stick to their assigned job alone. Let respective departments and courts of the country decide fate of a person.
ABDUL SAMAD SAMO
Karachi
Troublesome neighbours
Bad neighbours are the worst people. They like to gossip and make trouble in other people’s houses. To effectively ignore your bad and gossiping neighbours, you will have to completely shut them out.
Lock your doors and windows and cut off any visual contact with them. If your bad and troublesome neighbours are loud and annoying, get some noise-cancelling headphones or invite friends over to help distract you. Also pray that God may guide them to right path.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
IMF bailout package
After months of strenuous negotiations, the IMF approved a financial loan for Pakistan that was a total of $6b. What are the pros and cons of current billion dollar IMF bailout package? The Fund has presently taken control of Pakistani economy. Among the reasons Pakistan has been forced to turn to the IMF for a big loan is requirement by the lender to repay loans taken by the country. In the process annual development programmes have had to be slashed.
Despite friendly governments of China and Saudi Arabia have given us financial aid, this cannot cover huge amounts involved. The IMF has imposed stringent conditions on Pakistan for the release of current one billion dollar tranche, which was approved on February 3, 2022. These include increase in taxation and adjustment of dollar-rupee exchange rate, which led to massive free-fall of the Rupee. The common man and salaried class have been badly hit by mega-inflation. The poorer sections of our society have been hard-pressed to eat even one meal daily.
Through a mini-budget recently PTI government has imposed 17% sales tax on imported cars, mobile phones, food-stuff, medicines and cosmetics Another IMF condition for the loan was ending the autonomy of State Bank of Pakistan, which was implemented by passage of a bill in the Senate which PTI Government got passed a few days ago by a simple majority. Until taxation base is broadened, loss-making public sector entities like PIA and Pakistan Railways privatised and demand for luxury goods curtailed we will keep turning to the IMF for help. Curbing large-scale corruption is also a big necessity to boosting our economy and avoiding future dependence on the IMF.
SAAD MAQBOOL BHATTY
Islamabad
Heinous crimes against women
Feminist violence is a form of gender-based violence. It has adverse effects on women physical, mental and reproductive health. One in three women in Pakistan experience violence at the hands of their husbands. The women feel trapped, afraid and their life is often restricted those who consider leaving often fear ending penniless or losing their children. Over the time, the confidence slips away making life without violence seemed a distant memory. It includes suffering to women like coercion, arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life. They are being subjected to violence like domestic violence, demand for dowry, child/early marriage, sex trafficking, honour killing and marital rape.
The major cause of violence is that society has accepted violence against women a common phenomenon. Punishment given to offenders is not being implemented and ignorance of rights given to women by Islam. Every citizen should raise his voice against cruelty and oppression against women and play a role in making honourable status of women in society. Government of Pakistan should also come forward to provide justice, protection and relief to women subjected to violence and strict punishment to those rascal social animals practising this heinous crime against women.
SHANZEH ZUBREEN KHAN
Lahore
