THE brutal killing of a 15-year-old worker in Multan exposes a deep moral decay within our society where human life seems to hold little value against ego and power. When the influential can effortlessly bypass justice through financial settlements, impunity becomes the law of the land. We urgently need in-depth sociological and psychological studies into our escalating societal rage and entrenched feudal mindsets.

However, academic understanding is only the first step. True reform demands strict accountability for perpetrators, robust protection for the vulnerable, and a complete overhaul of a police and judicial system that too often allows influence to barter away justice. Only by dismantling impunity can we begin to shift our social behaviour towards well-meaning civility.

Arshad Kamal
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2026