I WONDER why there has to be an intervention from, say, the chief justice, the prime minister, the chief minister, or media before the so-called ‘efficient’ officials come to the rescue of a victim. The officer in charge of a police station comes to the scene when he is ordered by the higher-ups to catch the culprits. A hospital’s medical superintendent takes action against the negligent doctor only when the media reports such a case. Why?

The law enforcement agencies and even the government in certain cases take prompt action in maintaining the law and order situation only when the Supreme Court takes a suo motu notice of an incident or after a thorough coverage by the media. The civil administration and its various departments act against illegal construction only when the apex court takes notice. Why? When will government departments and their functionaries start functioning professio-nally and do what they are paid to do?

Abdul Samad Samo
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2022