A black day was observed this week across all public-sector universities. The Federation of All Pakistan Academic Staff Association (FAPUSA) announced the move to show solidarity with those professors who were presented before the courts in handcuffs and chains. Former Punjab University Vice Chancellor VC Professor Dr Mujahid Kamran as well as five registrars face trial over serious charges of undertaking illegal appointments, awarding unmerited promotions and scholarships as well as financial embezzlement. They must of course face due process. But by presenting them in such a dramatic fashion, the arresting officers of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have jeopardised the tenets of a free and a fair trial. For the visual image alone of the country’s educators chained and shamed as they make their way to the dock is an emotive and long-lasting one. That this had prompted the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to direct the NAB director general to issue a written apology to those whom the Bureau had humiliated simply reinforces this. All of which feeds into fears of selective justice becoming the norm in Naya Pakistan’s brave new world. And if this happens, students will inevitably lose out. Particularly given that it is no secret that university administrations regularly exceed their remit. Either in terms of cracking down on students who raise their voices against unjust practices, as the Mashal Khan case so tragically underscores. Or else by calling in riot police to deal with students peacefully demonstrating against increases in tuition fees. That the accountability net is widening is to be lauded. But this cannot come at the expense of shooting oneself in the proverbial foot. Meaning that this gross misstep of handcuffing those who have yet to be charged signals that justice has been blinded. And as many have been quick to point out: not even proclaimed offenders have been ‘manhandled’ in this way. Thus the challenge for Pakistan remains balancing due process with the upholding of free and fair trials. Not least because one cannot exist without the other. * Published in Daily Times, October 16th 2018.