Corruption is unarguably among the principle issues that will determine Pakistan’s trajectory in decades to come. Who would argue against fighting corruption? In the struggle against corruption, the paddlers of anti-corruption campaigns and public alike traditionally have been demonising the police force. Police, on the other hand, swallows bitter suspicions that society harnesses against it. This suspicion is partly Police’s own making and partly due to political meddling. Either way, the police department is being progressively eroded of its authoritative avatar that is necessary to maintain order in our society.
This erosion of authority has become more potent since the start of dharna politics. Protesting now seems to have become a fashion statement where protestors groove to melodious beats and raise slogans on carefully crafted political lyrics. Without it, people feel neglected and destitute of their constitutional rights. Or perhaps, they do not foresee justice until they agitate. It is in these rallies in which ‘leaders’ abuse, ridicule and threaten police personnel. Their followers dishonourably take pride in standing up to the on-duty officers. Unfortunately, this is not a one-off incident. These incidents are part of a cult-like following that is feeding itself to regenerate this abusive non-civic trend. Those who are responsible for maintaining order in our society are themselves being ridiculed and disrespected in public. Is this not demoralising a lowly waged public servant who is only performing his or her duty? A demoralised police, or worst, a dysfunctional police cannot be expected to maintain law and order in our cities.
There is not an iota of doubt that much of this is attributed to the administrative failures and perhaps political blunders as well. Let’s also assume that government has been non-serious and deliberately misusing state assets including police. Even then, how does it justify to instigate masses for civil disobedience?
There is another trend that is gripping this country — the mob-mentality. People are no more fearful of police. They do not think twice before apprehending a random passerby whom they suspect of wrongdoing and then thrash him or her in broad daylight and in clear view of bystanders. The Sialkot brothers who were lynched in public was the worst mob justice that comes to our recent memory. Had there been fear of law in those men, they would have chosen to walk down to the nearest police station with those young boys instead of taking matters into their own hands.
It is very unfortunate that people do not respect the symbols of the state such as the police force, but they expect the same under-equipped police to protect their lives and property. The fundamental problems of the police force in all provinces is strikingly similar though police in one province may perform marginally better or worse than the police in another province. However, the policing practices and the chalta hai attitude runs deep across the entire country. Police in all provinces suffer from their inability to sufficiently collect and interpret evidence in order to put it forward to the courts where judges take decisions. Moreover, fighting corruption, like fighting any other crime, is the prerogative of the police as constituted within the limits of the constitution and laws.
Dharna is an effective political tool for short-term political goals. However, we need reformists — those visionary politicians who have the ability to assess governance deficiencies and an unflinching resolve to “legally” amend the modus operandi. Nonetheless, reforming governance would require them first to know the administrative function and then uncompromising political resolve. Only then they can objectively debate on eradicating corruption or improving administrative governance of police force.
Governance will improve with continuous incremental changes through progressive learning and experience. Our people need to be educated about this logic.
The writer can be reached on Twitter @writer_aamer