ON Wednesday, angry lawyers once more turned to ransacking and rioting in Multan. Some 50 of them have been booked for resorting to violence. The reason? The shifting of the lower courts to new premises. The lawyers felt that the new place didn’t quite have facilities worth their while. Resultantly, they got angry, smashed things, and shouted, vowed and warned. Then they posed for the camera. It is really no use analysing such behaviour anymore — there have been far too many instances that have recorded similar reactions by lawyers when they felt they were being denied relief, privileges and favours. Everyone knows what is wrong with such an attitude. Everyone understands the background — the lawyers’ movement et al. It is common knowledge what this kind of disservice and repeated acts of violence are doing to the grand edifice that is essentially meant to deliver justice via an unwavering adherence to the rule of law. It is evident that we are helpless in the face of a hydra-headed entity that is ready to trample on good sense and principles at the slightest pretext.

It is the lawyers who have been in the forefront of the movement for ensuring the rights of the people. It can be expected that society in general would never hesitate to support the advocates’ fight for the best possible deal. Unfortunately, many lawyers have been acting as if this support were surplus to their requirements. Even if it is conceded that the lawyers as a union are free to push for their ‘exclusive’ causes on their own, there have been concerns enough for some among them to stand up and call for tough introspection. It seems that such recent calls have not brought about a resolve aimed at reformation. There has to be a growing realisation among the lawyers that violent practices that put them in the same category as vandals have to stop. Or eventually, there will be nothing worth saving in this country.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2017