THIS is apropos the article ‘Blinfolded justitia’ by Adeel Wahid (March 4) in which he has touched upon many anomalies in our justice system.

Injustices being meted out to aggrieved parties in Pakistan continue unabated. It is the powerful, filthy rich and influential people who win cases in courts.

Nawaz Sharif’s example is a case in point. Which poor convicted man has ever been allowed to proceed on parole to his home? None. I am witness to a high court proceeding where a dozen cases were hurriedly and briefly heard (each of 10 minutes duration) and all the defence counsel were scoffingly given new dates.

I found the defence counsel too nervous and perplexed to argue their cases. They looked pussy cats in front of the judge.

The writer has contended that judges have been given vast discretionary powers but it is my considered opinion that they have been given too much powers.

On several occasions, I found accused in fetters in the premises of city courts meeting their loved ones. These people are, in fact, rotting in the jail in subhuman conditions for decades but their cases are neither being heard nor decided.

When they walk, the rattling sound of fetters creates a somber atmosphere. Arguably human dignity is compromised in full view of the public. The images of justitia holding balance scale and a sword in our courts mock the reality on ground.

Fourteen innocent citizens were mowed down in Model Town, Lahore, in 2014, and even after a lapse of six years the proverb ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ has failed to prick any one’s conscience.

No suo motu action was initiated to ensure justice. Culprits should have been brought to book by now but alas there are thousands of similar cases.

Safir Siddiqi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2020