THIS refers to the report ‘PA resolution for regularising illegal buildings passed amid protest’ (Nov 17). Initially, an environment of corruption/compromise of rules and regulations is created by the powerful and the connected in the most planned and structured manner. Obscene amounts of money exchange hands.

We are pushing ourselves deeper and deeper into the black hole. This is programmatic degeneration of values. To add insult to injury, this is also mocking the entire legal system as the apex court has rightly directed to demolish all illegally built properties.

What should we expect next? Condoning all employees who submitted fake degrees and documents at the start of their careers, have worked for decades, earned promotions and now their families are dependent on their salaries?

Bending rules and regulations in this scenario on the pretext of ever increasing population is no excuse. Whose responsibility is it to develop more cities or expand Karachi’s infrastructure to accommodate the expanding population? The current government has amply demonstrated that it is not good enough for even garbage collection and disposal.

Building a great society is a great responsibility. It is built on many foundations, but, most importantly, on the basis of fair and efficient practice of the legal system. This essentially means making fair and tough calls even if those are unpopular decisions.

Name withheld on request
Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2021