by Shahzaib Waseem Khan
Freedom and fundamental human rights are the bedrock of every constitution in the civilized world. When Bhutto assumed control of what remained of Quaid’s Pakistan, he spoke out against the police’s savage brutality towards his party and himself. He even recounted the marks on his back from the vicious lathi charge he had to endure.
As the primary architect of the unanimous 1973 constitution, he ensured the incorporation of approximately twenty clauses that covered essential human rights, including freedom of expression, movement, and confinement, among others. Article 25 A enshrined literacy as a citizen’s right to be provided by the state. The series of arrests without warrants in the land of the pure unequivocally indicates a serious breach of trust between the rulers and the ruled.
To truly appreciate the irony of the situation, one must remember that Pakistan is a country where freedom is restricted, and fundamental human rights are trampled upon regularly. It is laughable to see the authorities claim that they are committed to protecting human rights while they disregard their own constitution and deny their citizens their rights.
The government’s actions reveal a blatant disregard for its own constitution and demonstrate the duplicitous nature of those in power. It is a travesty to witness the government’s refusal to uphold the fundamental rights guaranteed to its citizens. It is almost as if they believe that the rules do not apply to them.
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The authorities’ high-handedness is a recurring theme in Pakistan’s history. It appears that the government is more interested in maintaining its power than in protecting the rights of its citizens. The government must acknowledge that it is not above the law and that its actions have consequences.
The government’s behavior is akin to a wolf in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be concerned with the welfare of its citizens while simultaneously violating their fundamental rights. It is time for the people of Pakistan to demand that their government adheres to the principles of their constitution.
But let’s not forget that the problem is much deeper than just one law. Corruption, nepotism, and a lack of accountability are rampant in our society. It’s not just the bureaucracy, but every segment of society that needs to do better. However, the bureaucracy holds a special responsibility, given their position of power and authority.
We need bureaucrats who are willing to break the mold and challenge the status quo. Those who are willing to introduce new ideas, streamline processes, and focus on customer satisfaction rather than just following archaic protocols. But sadly, such bureaucrats are few and far between.
It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee. We can no longer afford to sit back and watch as our fundamental rights are trampled upon. We need to demand accountability from those in power and hold them responsible for their actions.
In civilized societies, freedom and fundamental human rights are the bedrock of every constitution. But unfortunately, in Pakistan, these constitutional guarantees are being violated with impunity. The ruling elite and their bureaucrat cronies are primarily responsible for this sad state of affairs. When asked about it, they deflect the blame and point fingers at others. But the truth is that the bureaucracy controls the levers of power and the fate of the nation.
Customer satisfaction is the cornerstone of every Quality Management System (QMS). The Japanese were the first to adopt this approach after their humiliating defeat in WWII. They transformed their economy by focusing on the customer’s needs and wants. Similarly, Pakistan needs a radical transformation in its bureaucratic culture. The civil servants need to understand that their primary duty is to serve the people and not their political masters.
Recently, Justice Shahid Kareem of the Lahore High Court (LHC) declared that the 1860 Law of Sedition enforced under Section 124 was unconstitutional. It was a bold move by the Judge that should have triggered a crusade to cleanse the constitution of the Draconian colonial-era and Martial Law regulations and acts. However, there seems to be a lack of political will to initiate this much-needed reform.
Instead of focusing on the real issues, the ruling elite is busy suppressing dissent and intimidating their opponents. The arrests of journalists, activists, and social media influencers have become a routine affair. It is a clear violation of the constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech and expression. The government seems to be more interested in suppressing criticism than addressing the root causes of the problems faced by the nation.
It is time to plan a counter-offensive to restore the spirit of the original document passed unanimously by the genuinely elected representatives of the people in 1973. The colonial state continues to operate under the Government of India Act 1935, despite the enforcement of the constitution in August 1973. The constitution was a revolutionary document that guaranteed fundamental human rights, including freedom of speech, movement, and confinement, among others. Article 25 A declared literacy as a right of the citizen to be provided by the state. However, the chain of arrests without warrants in the land of the pure clearly indicates a serious breach of the agreement between the rulers and the ruled.
The recent events unfolding in Pakistan have left the nation in a state of shock and disbelief. It seems like the law enforcement agencies have gone rogue, resorting to intimidation tactics and violating basic human rights. The most recent incident involved the intrusion into the house of PTI leader Jamshed Cheema, where the police jumped over the gate and barged into the house, even though they were told that only maids and minor children were present.
This invasion of enemy territory is not an isolated incident. Even the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, was not spared from this brutality. While he was in court in Islamabad, his house in Zaman Park came under attack. The culprits used cranes to break open the main entrance of his dwelling. This act of savagery is a first in the affluent Zaman Park, leaving residents in a state of shock. Even the servants were rounded up, and the gardener of the house next door, belonging to Aitzaz Ahsan, was also arrested.
The situation is further aggravated by the fact that the police seem to be above the law of the land. They are arresting individuals without any warrants and taking them to far-off places, in clear violation of basic human rights. The nephew of Imran Khan, Barrister Hassan Niazi, was arrested in Islamabad and then taken to Quetta, only to be landed in Karachi, where he was bailed out to appear in Naushera.
The situation is so dire that several PTI leaders and workers are currently in police custody, fighting for their basic rights. Ali Zaidi, the President of PTI Sindh, is struggling to be bailed out, and Ex-MNA Amin Gandapur has been handed over to the Punjab Police for remand.
The police seem to have lost sight of their true purpose: to serve and protect the people. Instead, they are resorting to brute force and violating basic human rights. It is time for the government to take notice of these violations and take swift action to bring the police back in line.
The police need to be reminded of the rule of law and the fact that they are not above it. It is high time for them to realize that their job is to serve and protect the people, not to terrorize them. The incidents of police brutality need to be investigated, and those responsible should be held accountable for their actions.
The current situation in Pakistan is a reminder that the fight for basic human rights is an ongoing battle. The constitution guarantees human rights, and it is the responsibility of every citizen to protect and defend those rights. It is time for the government to take action and ensure that the rights of its citizens are protected at all costs.
In a world where human rights violations are rampant, it takes an unwavering stamina to fight back and bring about change. My father, Nazir Ahmed Malik, firmly believed that, and I share his sentiment. The issue of human rights violations in Pakistan is being raised globally, with petitions being filed in Human Rights Commissions across the world.
But the real solution lies in internal efforts. It’s time for us to make a list of all the Draconian laws from the colonial era and have them expunged by the parliament. We can’t keep blaming external factors for our internal problems. It’s time for us to take responsibility for our own governance system and constitution.
This marathon towards change should have started long ago, but better late than never. It’s time for a major clean-up of the system for the preservation of human freedom. Without resilience and fight back, we cannot bring about the change we desperately need.
It’s disheartening to see how those in power are using their authority to suppress dissenting voices. The recent invasion of the house of PTI leader Jamshed Cheema and the attack on Imran Khan’s house in Zaman Park are just a few examples of this. It’s as if our Constables are above the law of the land.
Barrister Hassan Niazi, who happens to be the nephew of Imran Khan, was also arrested in Islamabad and taken to Quetta, only to be later transported to Karachi, where he was bailed out to appear in Naushera. Meanwhile, several PTI leaders and workers are currently in police custody. Ali Zaidi, the President of PTI Sindh, is fighting to be bailed out, and Ex-MNA Amin Gandapur has been handed over to the Punjab Police for remand.
It’s a shame that our police force is being used to intimidate and suppress dissenting voices instead of protecting citizens’ rights. The situation is reminiscent of an invasion of enemy territory, with no regard for basic human dignity and respect.
The current state of affairs in Pakistan demands an urgent need for change. It’s time for us to take matters into our own hands and demand our rights. The constitution guarantees human rights, but the reality on the ground paints a different picture. It’s time for us to rationalize the system and introduce a customer/service orientation.
The Japanese were the first to adopt this approach after their defeat in WWII, and within decades, they emerged as the second-largest economy in the world. We can learn from their example and strive towards a system that puts the people’s needs first.
We can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the violations of our basic human rights. The recent declaration by Justice Shahid Kareem of the Lahore High Court that the 1860 Law of Sedition enforced under Section 124 was unconstitutional should have been the catalyst for cleansing the constitution of the Draconian colonial era and Martial Law regulations and acts.
It’s time for us to plan a counter-offensive to restore the spirit of the original document passed unanimously by the genuinely elected representatives of the people in 1973, fifty years ago. The colonial state continues to operate under the Government of India Act 1935, despite the enforcement of the constitution in August 1973.
We need to remember that without human freedom, there can be no progress. It’s time for us to take a stand and demand our rights, with resilience and unwavering stamina, to bring about the change we need for a better tomorrow.
In conclusion, the current human rights violations and use of Draconian laws in Pakistan is a cause for concern. The recent arrests and attacks on political leaders and their homes are a violation of the basic principles of democracy. It is time for the people of Pakistan to stand up and demand a change in the system of governance and the constitution. This can only be achieved through a collective effort, involving both the government and the citizens. It is important to remember that change is not easy, it requires stamina and resilience. However, if we continue to fight back, we can make a difference and restore the spirit of the original document passed unanimously by the genuinely elected representatives of the people in the year 1973.
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