THIS refers to the report ‘Police register report over SHO’s alleged kidnap, torture by army men’ (March 31) wherein a police inspector was reportedly mishandled and tortured by an army officer at the Qaddafi Stadium. It happened while the stadium was full of spectators during the match between Pakistan and Australia.

The police officer was simply performing his duty to ensure discipline and security. He simply asked the army personnel to follow the standard operating procedures.

However, unfortunately, the army officer reacted and instead of tackling this situation amicably, he called up other army personnel and allegedly kidnapped and tortured the policeman. Later, other officials intervened to resolve this issue.

Such incidents have become a new norm. The officials from different departments, politicians, and other influential people are equally part of this culture of impunity. Every now and then, one can observe such incidents at various places.

I wonder when we will get rid of this culture of impunity, for it has been almost 75 years since independence that we are shackled in colonialist mindset.

Speaking from my personal experience, I never saw and read about such an incident during my stay in the US. I travelled to several states, more than 25, and never had the opportunity to see such an unpleasant happening. Everyone was treated fairly and equally without an exception.

It is time we carefully thought about such acts. The top officials, influential persons, and the politicians need to take bold steps to discourage this culture by taking practical measures, not mere sloganeering and lip-service.

We should have a culture where all citizens are treated equally, where we live according to the vision and ideology of Quaid-i-Azam, and no one is treated as above the law. Let us break these shackles. We cannot simply afford the culture of impunity.

Fazal Rehman Safi
Peshawar

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2022