Daily Times

Presidential pardons are a tool meant for state welfare, but their misuse undermines public trust. Recently outgoing US President Joe Biden pardoned his son, and the matter is being discussed all over the world. We see such instances in Pakistan, and do not take it a worthy of discussion. The discussion on Biden’s act highlights the troubling pattern of ruling elites shielding their own. The system protects the powerful; either it is Pakistan or the US.

This act feels less like a pursuit of justice and more like an exercise of privilege. It sends a dangerous message: power grants immunity. While ordinary people face the full force of the law, those with connections escape scrutiny. This disparity deepens the divide between the elite and the public, alienating citizens from institutions meant to serve them.

The situation mirrors a broader global issue. In some countries, particularly where corruption thrives, ruling classes enjoy unchecked power. Leaders use their influence to shield allies and family, while ordinary citizens face harsh penalties for lesser transgressions. This erosion of justice undermines faith in democratic systems and fuels cynicism about governance.

When a leader prioritises personal or familial loyalty over the rule of law, it sets a dangerous precedent. It weakens the principle that no one is above accountability. It also emboldens those who already doubt the fairness of the system, fostering resentment and distrust.

Accountability must be the cornerstone of any functioning democracy. Leaders have a duty to hold themselves and their families to the highest standard of the law. When they fail to do so, they not only compromise justice but also jeopardise the credibility of the institutions they represent. *