Justice system is different for everyone: Rabbani

Says law becomes helpless as accused under Article 6 does not appear before court; if Constitution not upheld, nation may brace for period worse than martial law; Marriyum says working on Journalist Safety and Security Bill

ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani said on Thursday that justice in Pakistan was different for everyone as a trial under Article 6 was initiated against a person, who was summoned by the court, but he fled the country. He said the law application was different for the privileged class and the common man.

Speaking here at a function in connection with journalists who were martyred in the line of duty, Rabbani pointed out that there were five different standards of application of law. The event was organised at the National Press Club (NPC).

He cautioned if parliament were to protect its identity, it would have to deliver with transparency and safeguard the rights of the masses and not those of vested interests.The Senate chairman, who recently launched his book to throw light on the voiceless and under privileged segments of the society, said that the common man, if caught at a check post, would face application of the law.

Rabbani explained that there were laws for the elite class and referred to the trial of ex-president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf under Article 6, who was summoned by the court, but he instead flew out of Pakistan. Then there was a law which was for those civilian elite who were in alliance with the privileged class. He cited the example of interior minister at the time of killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, who faced trialbut afterwards, he was set free.

The Senate chairman continued that if anyone was wealthy, no law would be applicable on him whereas the common man would face laws. “This forces me to reflect that our society is moving backward instead of marching forward,” he remarked.

In a society, he noted, five ‘spheres’, what would the law could do. Therefore, he lamented, “That as a nation, we are going backward, instead of moving forward”.

He cautioned if the Constitution was not upheld while moving forward, the nation might be bracing for a period even worse than martial law. Rabbani empahsised that the rulers would have to also change their attitude and come out of the influence of imperialism and this was possible only by carrying forward the struggle.

He spoke highly for all those segments of the society, including journalists for rendering great sacrifices for democracy. He made a mention of those who faced great hardships at Lal Qila and Attock Qila and even kissed gallows instead of compromising on their principles.

Rabbani spoke highly for senior anchorperson Hamid Mir and others. He particularly mentioned the initiative of endowment fund for journalists. Senate chairman feared that the proposed law once enacted, would become part of almirah: he called for implementation of the laws in letter and spirit.

Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said the government was working on ‘the Journalist Safety and Security Bill’ to ensure security to media persons.

She maintained an attack on media was attack on Pakistan and that the government would not tolerate it. She said the media had played a vital role in strengthening democracy in the country.

Marriyum paid rich tributes to the journalists who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. A number of union leaders and representatives of the National Press Club, including Afzal Butt and Shakeel Anjum also spoke on the occasion and laid emphasis on legislation and practical measures for protection of media persons.