One had the “misfortune” of travelling to the two ends of Lahore last week, during the rush hour. One was towards Defence and the other, Bahria Town, at the very other end.

Apart from the general levels of traffic, which seems to be increasing incomprehensibly, despite the many governmental mass transport projects and infrastructural development, a concurrent increase in rickshaws and motorcycles is frightening. The inclusion of rural and heavy vehicle traffic into the mix just adds to the fun. To provide greater entertainment most of the traffic lights are switched off and traffic police personnel missing. Together these elements constitute a free for all, mad dash to reach the safety of one home.

The utter disregard for one’s own safety and others, courtesy, giving space, or not following the traffic rules is the norm. A pervasive feeling of complete lawlessness is apparent.

The manifestation of this lawlessness can be felt in other spheres of our society too. Recently, another case of lawyers at the Lahore High Court, aiding and abetting their client, murder suspects, escape after their pre-arrest bail was rejected. This time the two lawyers were office-bearers of the Lahore High Court Bar Association. The very same bar association which is agitating for the dismissal of the chief justice; for being naïve enough to initiate disciplinary proceeding against a lawyer: the defenders of law becoming the law unto themselves.

What then is the underlying reason for this depressing state of affairs? To understand this we have to turn towards the cryptic topic of civics. This at one time used to comprise an important element in most schools’ syllabi. As far as one’s civic knowledge goes; there is a social contract between the government and society. Stripped to its bare bones an economic bargain; in lieu of provision of revenues through taxations, the government on its part, agrees to provide certain services to the people.

Pakistanis, contrary to public perception, are perhaps the most taxed society in the world. This naturally only applies those that fall within the tax net and a majority facing an oppressive, regressive tax regime.

After paying near 50 per cent of taxes on your petrol, ever-increasing rates on utilities and an increasing elusive

GST on all consumer goods which is conveniently passed to consumer; the metaphorical paying your dues becomes a reality. In return for these exaggerated revenues the government has to provide ‘trivial’ things like health, education and other basic social services. Unfortunately, apart from providing inapt and fiscally dubious white elephant projects, where only certain people stand to gain, there seems to be a complete breakdown in the provision of these social services.

If you do not possess a stake in something or feel you cannot derive some benefit from it; what is your interest in participating? Or for that matter following the prescribed law? What this ultimately, in our case to a significant extent, leads to prevalence of the “law of the Jungle.” A situation in which every man has scant regard for the law and feels he is above or beyond its confines. Instead of feeling some empathy with society, an individualistic outlook driven by the economic motive, seems to the sole motive. No wonder than what you see on the streets and in hallowed halls of justice, is a clear reflection of what is transpiring at the individual level – a compact broken.

Turning to pleasanter things, the recent resurgence in the fortunes of our cricket team, seems to be closely linked to the launch of our home grown Pakistan Super League (PSL). The induction of new talent from this format bodes well for our cricket. The lucrative financial returns, exposure and opportunity can only lead to new talent revitalising our team. Despite the fact that our home team, the Lahore Qalandars, did not fare well last year, the prospects of a final in Lahore remains tantalizing. — AM Lahori (AmLahori@gmail.com)

Published in Dawn October 24th, 2016