A tragic incident in Islamabad has cast a harsh light on the deep-seated inequalities within Pakistan's legal framework, raising urgent questions about privilege, power, and the true meaning of accountability.
A Fatal Collision and a Privileged Accused
The case revolves around a devastating accident that claimed the lives of two young sisters. They were returning home on a motorcycle after their part-time work when they were struck by a speeding luxury vehicle. The SUV, a V-8 worth over Rs140 million, was reportedly being driven by the underage son of a sitting judge at the Islamabad High Court.
Official records from the First Information Report (FIR) reveal critical facts: the young driver did not possess a valid driving licence and chose to flee the scene immediately after the collision. The sheer value of the vehicle involved immediately pointed to a world of extreme privilege contrasting sharply with the victims' circumstances.
Questionable Acquittal Despite Grave Charges
Despite the severity of the offences—which included underage driving, unlicensed operation, reckless endangerment, and negligent homicide—the legal process took a startling turn. A judicial magistrate ordered the accused's acquittal after the bereaved families reportedly "forgave" him.
This decision allowed the accused to walk free without facing meaningful legal scrutiny for actions that constitute public offences. The state's duty to prosecute crimes that affect public order and safety was effectively sidelined. Serious charges appeared to vanish through a private pardon, a legal outcome that has sparked widespread concern and debate.
Systemic Imbalance and Eroding Public Trust
The outcome of this case is widely perceived as being inseparable from the influence and status of the accused's family. It underscores a painful reality where the legal system often bends for the powerful while offering little protection to the weak and vulnerable.
Furthermore, the case has prompted additional uncomfortable questions that remain unanswered. Authorities have not clarified whether such an expensive asset was ever properly declared in tax filings, deepening the cloud of suspicion and further eroding public trust in institutions meant to uphold the law impartially.
This incident is not an isolated lapse but a symptom of an entrenched imbalance. For justice to hold real meaning in Pakistan, prosecutions for public offences must be robust and state-driven. Accountability must be uniform, and influence should never be allowed to override due process. The nation cannot afford a justice system that protects the strong and abandons the weak. The courage to correct this course is needed now, before further harm is done to the social fabric and the rule of law.
