Pakistan is a country where the law is often seen to be only applying to those without the influence or wealth to keep them safe from the long arm of the law. As such, it is important to set a precedent that justice is blind to social or economic status. However, while doing so, it is important for the authorities to remember that regardless of what degree the law is adhered to, a society cannot be called civilized in the absence of empathy and compassion. Currently, former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam are in the UK, where Nawaz’s wife Kulsoom is receiving treatment for cancer. They had requested a week long exemption in personal appearances before the accountability court. This plea was denied despite the circumstances in which the request was made. It is pertinent to mention here that Nawaz has complied with accountability court’s orders diligently and has attended all hearings related to the case thus far. As mentioned above, while a precedent does need to be set which shows powerful individuals and families are not above the law, the way the accountability court has gone about it in this case is highly unfortunate. The Sharif family should not have been put in this difficult position at this point in time. Furthermore, this is a mere continuation of the victimisation of politician’s families — a distasteful tradition that dates back to the Bhutto-Sharif political rivalry of the 1990s. And while it is true that the PML-N itself has engaged in such unethical politics itself, the state must show that it is above such spiteful tactics. Despite all his shortcomings, Nawaz Sharif has served as PM of this country three times. As such, the state should afford him the opportunity to be with his wife at this time. * Published in Daily Times, April 23rd 2018.