THIS is with reference to the report ‘Governor promises transparent probe into Karsaz accident case’ (Aug 23) about the recent tragic incident in Karachi in which a prominent businessman’s wife murdered two innocent people — a man and his 22-year-old daughter — and left several others critically injured when she ran over them her monstrous, speeding vehicle.

There have been some murmurs on various social media platforms that the woman is being ‘protected’ by the powerful and influential after she was presented before a court (seen above). If true, this is shocking, but not surprising, for it will be a microcosm of the broader injustice that plagues our society, where the powerful often escape the consequences of most actions, leaving the victims to just suffer in silence.

However, what is most alarming is the negligible conviction rate in cases that involve the high and mighty of the land. The abysmally low rate of conviction is not just a failure of the justice system; it is a failure of the state to protect its citizens and uphold the rule of law. When justice is not served, it fosters a culture of lawlessness where the powerful believe they are above the law, and the vulnerable lose faith in the system that is meant to protect them.

Unfortunately, this not only increases the likelihood of future crimes, but also deepens societal divisions, as the public sees the law as favouring the rich and powerful over the average citizen.

There is a disturbing trend where the state often abdicates its responsibility, allowing powerful individuals to escape the consequences of their actions through coerced settlements or by exploiting legal loopholes.

The Karsaz tragedy must be brought to a fair and just conclusion quickly. The state must show that justice is, indeed, for all.

Majid Burfat
Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2024