Bullets have once again led to the murder of another Pakistani political elite. Salman Taseer, the Governor of Punjab was killed by one of his guards in the Federal Capita. Taseer was a man known for being vocal. He had a right to express his opinion. The intolerance that today prevails amongst the so called liberals, religious zealots and the ruling elite does not bode well for future of democratic politics. For far long the politics of gun has prevailed in Pakistan which for over 33 years has been under military rule. The murderer who killed Taseer was recruited when a military regime was ruling the country. Even under civilian rule, the police ranks have been stuffed with political activists on recommendations.Everyday many others are killed by bullets in Karachi, while the police and government play politics with the blood of citizens. The issue is that as long as the police registers fake cases of murder, robbery, kidnapping, rape or blasphemy against citizens with connivance of few lawyers, politicians and members of administration, this culture of lawlessness will continue to breed. The police, law enforcement and lower judiciary should be depoliticised and recruitment be made strictly on merit.
Those already serving in law enforcement agencies should be scrutinised and any amongst them recruited on recommendations should be sent on forced early retirement. Prosecuting agencies and office of Attorney General and Advocate General must also be depoliticised so that nobody is allowed to get away with the abuse of power. We need to provide social justice to the common man of Pakistan, which can only be done if the billions being pilfered by corrupt are diverted to welfare projects. The only solution to eliminate violence from our country is through rule of law, good governance and providing subsidised education to the poor.
SHAMSUDDIN MIAN
Lahore
