AS things stand today, institutional legal protections are increasingly being misused to intimidate the public. This has led to extortionist practices that affect national morale, eroding public trust and creating an environment of fear as well as unce-rtainty that ultimately hinders economic development.

Institutions, such as the Labour Dep-artment, tax collection agencies, and others appear to be operating within a legal framework that is being manipulated to serve their own interests rather than the public good. This situation raises significant questions about accountability and the integrity of these institutions.

While many of us recognise these systemic issues, we often struggle to come up with viable solutions.

It is rather imperative that we engage in a meaningful dialogue and collabo-ration to effectively address the prevailing challenges, fostering a more transparent and equitable environment for all the relevant stakeholders.

M. Haroon Shamsi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2024