The state of rule of law in Pakistan today is dismal to say the least. Even when laws protecting human rights exist, their poor implementation not only renders them ineffective, but also creates a sense of mistrust among the public. For the powerful, law is a privilege, but for the weak, it is a trap from which there is no escape. 

In Pakistan, law enforcement agencies are not only involved in custodial torture of the accused, but are also accused of having a role in several cases of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. No one is being held accountable for these actions.

According to the doctrine of the rule of law, law should be accessible and inexpensive to all citizens on the basis of fairness and equity, and justice should be dispensed without delay or excuse. None of these principles are being followed in Pakistan.

Pakistan’s justice system particularly fails marginalised groups. If you are from a low socioeconomic background or belong to a religious minority group, attaining justice is nearly impossible.

In 2021, World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index ranked Pakistan 130th, indicating that the country has one of the poorest judicial systems in the world. People’s lives, properties, and dignities are frequently violated, and the institutions that are supposed to implement the law are helpless before the perpetrators. 

Another important challenge facing Pakistan’s justice system is an overwhelming number of unresolved cases in the courts. Justice delayed, as they say, is justice denied. And as a result of such delays, people’s trust in the courts is eroding, shattering their confidence in the judicial system, which is why the feudal system involving jirga and panchayat (village councils) continues to run parallel to the formal justice system. 

Pakistan’s justice system particularly fails marginalised groups. If you are from a low socioeconomic background or belong to a religious minority group, attaining justice is nearly impossible. Moreover, women are discouraged from reporting crimes due to the misogynistic attitudes of the police, judges, and even lawyers and society as a whole.

Also concerning is the lack of awareness among people about the rights guaranteed to them under the Constitution. In rural areas, feudal lords have connections with the administration, police and the judiciary, and are therefore able to get away with crimes. Powerful individuals conveniently use their influence to evade the law.

The state must work towards ensuring supremacy of the law, which is the only way to put the country on the path of progress. The state and its institutions should be devoted to the people of Pakistan and not to a bunch of influential individuals. 

The state must abolish the feudal system while undertaking land reforms, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan, to ensure equitable distribution of wealth and an end to exploitation. Pakistan also needs provincial autonomy, investment in social services and industry, free scientific education, equitable opportunities, and the inclusion of youth, peasants, researchers, and women in policymaking. Such efforts can only be accomplished through structural reforms.

Jalila Haider

The writer is a social and political activist, working as a legal practitioner in Balochistan for the last ten years. She has a Masters in International Human Rights Law from the University of Sussex, UK.

The post Why Is Rule Of Law Still A Distant Dream In Pakistan? appeared first on Dissent Today.

The university issued a notification in this regard, making it mandatory for all students to wear knee-length kurtas, shalwars, and white dupattas and banning western wear.

The notification said the students would be fined Rs 1,000 in case of non-compliance, reported Express Tribune. 

Earlier, Gomal University in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, directed women students to “be careful and limit themselves just in their classrooms”.

According to a notification issued by the university, “Gatherings/ Coupling (Male and Female) is totally Banned in any ground, roads, etc, beyond the premises of departments.”

The notification also advised women students to be “careful and limit themselves just in their classrooms and department Common rooms”.

It also wanted students of strict action in case of non-compliance.

Many social media users condemned the notification as they were of the view that universities must be stopped by law to impose any dress code on women and any restrictions on their fundamental human rights.

Last year, a public university for women in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, barred students from using smartphones while attending the varsity.

The administration noted that extensive use of social media applications affects the performance of the students, besides having a bad effect on their behaviour.

News Desk

dissenttoday.net

The post Peshawar Women University Bars Students From Wearing Jeans, Tights appeared first on Dissent Today.

SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh has recommended nine names, including one woman.

According to Express Tribune, lawyer Sana Akram Minhas is the only woman nominated for the post. Meanwhile, the other names include: District & Session Judge Amjad Ali Bohio, and lawyers Mohammad Abdur Rahman, Khadim Hussain Soomro, Arbab Ali Hakro, Jawad Akbar Sarwana, Saleem Akhtar Buriro, Rashid Mustafa, and Syed Tarique Ahmed Shah.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial has called on the JCP’s meeting on March 15th to deliberate over the nine nominees for their appointment as additional judges of the SHC. Currently, 29 judges are working while the total strength of the high court is 40.

The majority of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) members failed to approve the appointments from the provincial court last year.

Women have recently been breaking barriers in the legal field as two Pakistani lawyers, Sabahat Rizvi, and Rabbiya Bajwa, made history after being elected as secretary and vice-president, respectively, of Pakistan’s oldest bar association.

This is the first time in history that the bar association is being headed by women.

News Desk

dissenttoday.net

The post SHC Nominates Only One Woman For Additional Judges’ Appointment  appeared first on Dissent Today.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Education Department issued the directives in this regard.

The circular said that it has come to the observation of the Education Department that women teachers and students are not made to wear hijabs in co-education institutions, therefore they are directed to wear them.

“Female students and teachers should be strictly bound to wear hijab,” the circular said.

The circular also warned of strict action against the heads of the institutions in case of non-compliance with the issued directives.

AJK Elementary and Secondary Education Minister Deevan Ali Khan Chughtai told Dawn that the circular was issued in accordance with Islamic principles.

He also said the decision was taken after complaints were made by parents in this regard.

The minister elaborated that hijab for girl students has only been mandated for high schools and higher secondary schools, not for universities.

The minister also said they have enforced a strict dress code for male teachers as well, while adding that the decision was taken after consulting with all stakeholders involved, including parents and teachers.

News Desk

dissenttoday.net

The post AJK Govt Forces Female Students, Teachers To Wear Hijab appeared first on Dissent Today.