According to media reports, acting Sindh governor could not preside over a recent meeting at the Governor House because the governor, while proceeding on a foreign visit, took keys of the office with himself. There was uproar in Sindh Assembly as some members declared it a constitutional violation, and the acting governor subsequently approached the Sindh High Court.
While all this was happening, no one among the legislators bothered to talk about the various constitutional violations that take place in the province on a daily basis. For instance, Article 25 guarantees free education, but 7.8 million children aged 5-16 years are out of school.
Likewise, Article 9 guarantees security of life and liberty, but hundreds of underprivileged lose their lives due to crimes, from preventable diseases, and because of a lot of other reasons.
There is no hue and cry among the legislators, and no swift action is taken by the state and its functionaries to resolve the matter like it was done in the case cited above. It is only when the ego of the powerful is hurt, like that of the acting governor, the entire system springs into action. Public funds and services of best lawyers from public tax money are availed and the courts are approached on an urgent basis. Masses and their lives and liberty do not matter. The Constitution is only used — even abused — to protect the interest of the powerful ruling elite.
GULSHER PANHWER
JOHI
