Undeniably, the maintenance of the rule of law is extremely important, because it is the bedrock of democracy and democratic practices, but the state of rule of law in our country is atrocious. Had there been even an iota of law, innocent Sindhu Soomro, aged 5 would not have been gang rapped and butchered in Larkana. Had there been any law, people would not have enjoyed unjustified privileges, there would not have been extreme income disparities, social injustices, administrative injustices, multinational oil and exploring companies, operating in Sindh, which have destroyed and damaged both the infrastructure and environment, but done nothing for community uplift, which is the core social responsibility of a corporate.
As a principle, law is intended to safeguard us against arbitrary and capricious governance and abuse of power, and to enforce limitations on the power of the state and all its institutions. The rule of law must also be seen as an instrument for the promotion of socioeconomic development and social justice, which in themselves are conducive to peace and security. In its social and economic role, the function of the rule of law is to ensure that the objective of development is to bring about sustained and meaningful improvement in the welfare of the people. Time has come to learn the lessons of the rule of law from the life of the glorious Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (SAW).
HASHIM ABRO,
Islamabad, January 7.