The current state of the legal landscape in Pakistan is nothing short of a tragedy, where the scales of justice appear perpetually tilted toward the side of power. The despair rooted in the hearts of the common people deepens whenever they witness the rigors of the judicial system being reserved solely for the weak and disenfranchised, while the law becomes a “nose of wax” for those inhabiting the corridors of power. The recent case of K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi has reignited this debate. The decision by the Provincial Ombudsman of Sindh to terminate him and impose a heavy fine on charges of harassing a female colleague was initially hailed as a landmark development for the protection of women. However, the intricate maneuvers of legal technicalities and the influence of status soon stifled the spirit of that decision. First, a stay order from the High Court, and subsequently, a “clean chit” granted by the Governor of Sindh, has once again proven that no matter how grave the allegation, the path of law is paved smooth for those of high rank.
This is not an isolated incident but a manifestation of a deep-seated contradiction that has been eroding the foundations of this country for decades. We vividly remember how Raymond Davis, the American operative who killed two citizens in broad daylight on the streets of Lahore, flew away scot-free under the guise of “blood money.” We recall how Shahrukh Jatoi, the primary accused in the Shahzeb Khan murder case, used his family’s immense influence to paralyze the long arms of the law. Similarly, when we observe the political landscape, measures like the 26th Amendment emerge—actions perceived by the public as instruments to provide permanent legal immunity to the elite. Whether it is former President Asif Ali Zardari or other powerful figures, the extraordinary relief they receive is nothing short of a miracle to the average Pakistani, who spends years gathering the dust of lower courts just to resolve a minor dispute or a petty FIR.
Islamic teachings and the crux of human history dictate that the survival of a society lies solely in the equality of justice. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) warned of the destruction that befell nations before us—those who enforced the law upon the weak but granted immunity to the powerful. The saying of Hazrat Ali (RA), that “a government can survive with disbelief but not with injustice,” stands today as a writing on the wall. When an ordinary citizen sees that the dignity of their daughter or the sanctity of their life is insignificant compared to the status of a powerful official, they begin to lose faith in the state. This sense of deprivation is the very seed that sprouts anarchy, restlessness, and social upheaval.
Article 25 of the Constitution of Pakistan explicitly states that “all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of law.” Regrettably, these words now seem confined to the pages of a textbook. By granting a “clean chit” to a powerful individual, the Governor of Sindh has signaled that personal alliances often outweigh the public interest. The Ombudsman’s office functions as a quasi-judicial body; therefore, placing the appeal of a judicial mandate before a political office-holder is, in itself, an affront to the sanctity of the law. It reinforces the perception that political figures are not representatives of the people, but pawns of the powerful.
The path to Pakistan’s progress and prosperity does not lie in new amendments or lofty claims; it lies in a single question: do we have the courage to stand influential individuals like Moonis Alvi and an ordinary citizen from the streets on equal footing in the dock of justice? If the application of the law continues to be person-specific, public trust will completely evaporate from this crumbling system. Today, the transparency of justice must be purged from all forms of political and administrative pressure. In a society where justice is either sold or remains subservient to influence, peace remains a mere illusion. We must understand that the accountability of the powerful is the only bridge that can lead this nation out of the darkness of injustice toward a bright and equitable future.
