IT was a painful sight to behold Dawn’s Dec 12 issue. The newspaper’s masthead carries a sketch of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, with the slogan that the daily was founded by the Quaid. Right below the name of Mr Jinnah who achieved the country through peaceful and constitutional means, are, a combo of photographs showing the lawyers’ hooliganism. The most striking one is a lawyer with a weapon in his hand pointed towards the sky. Can there be anything more shameful and insulting to the memory of the Quaid?

Lawyers resorted to unprovoked physical violence in the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) bringing a bad name to their noble profession. I am truly disappointed that those who struggle for justice on behalf of their clients in courts stooped to such low levels of violence to get even. The conduct is not justifiable or condonable at all.

As a lawyer I feel ashamed of this act and seek pardon of all those adversely affected by this sorry episode.

Altaf Noor Ali
Karachi

(2)

ROBERT Frost once said: “A civilised society is one which tolerates eccentricity to the point of doubtful sanity.” The inhumane act committed in Lahore by the members of two noble professions fighting for nothing but their egos had nothing to do with their respective professions.

In a civilised society, doctors are messiahs, while lawyers are advocates who provide justice. It seems in Pakistan, the two are no longer noble professions. Being Muslims and the followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we should practice his teachings and be patient, calm and kind to one another.

Pakistanis need to learn how to set their ego aside and learn to co-exist with others.

Adeel Ahmad Gill
Sydney, Australia

(3)

THE unfortunate incident in Lahore’s PIC is a reflection of the intolerant attitude that has taken root in society.

These are heinous criminal acts to be punished severely and mercilessly according to the law of the land. Very effective laws exist but their enforcement is weak, which has resulted in lawlessness in the country.

Let us also note what is happening in the National Assembly. With the language being used and the tempers running high, one fears any untoward incident could take place any day. This has happened before in our past. One recalls the hooliganism in 1957 in the East Pakistan Assembly where the deputy speaker was beaten to death in parliament.

There is a war-like situation on our eastern and western borders and we are engaged in infighting. What message are we sending to our Kashmiri brethren? For God’s sake let’s not get involved in a political blame game and conspiracy theories.

Criminal acts have been committed and by those who should know better. The law should takes its course without any discrimination and without any favour or fear. At the same time heads must roll — of those who allowed this to happen.

There is no room for complacency. Let sanity prevail before it is too late.

Lt Col (r) Syed Iftikhar Ahmed
Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2019