Chitral Times Report
Peshawar: Rule of law means that every citizen has certain fundamental rights as well as responsibilities enshrined in the constitution. The youth leaders regardless of their educational discipline must study law and constitution as it’s only by the human rights education, can human rights violation and rule of law be prevented and strengthened respectively. The system of across the board accountability and check and balance both on the state, government and citizens is critical to uphold rule of law.
These were the notions expressed by Mr. Daniyal Ahmed Javed, a Police Services of Pakistan officer posted in Swat as Assistance District Officer, Frontier Constabulary (PSP, ADOFC Swat), during Youth Capacity Building Workshops organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS)in collaboration with Department of Forensic Sciences at University of Swat.
Mr. Daniyal Ahmed said that not knowing a law is not an excuse to commit crime and break the law; even misdemeanor. Responsible citizenship demands adherence to rule of law and compliance with the core constitutional values critical to social peace and harmony. A democratic society is characterized by public empowerment through the provision of fundamental human rights equally available to every citizen, including right to fair trail and access to justice.The separation of power among the pillars of the state is critical to uphold rule of law. The state institutions must observe their constitutional limits and executive, legislature and judiciary should only commit to execution, legislation and adjudication respectively.
Limited resources of police hinder their service delivery capacity, he said adding that the police in Pakistan need educated foot soldiers. The idea of mob justice is contrary to the fundamental principles of law as law is humane, proportionate, rational and impersonal and it must have a feature of rehabilitation.
Dr. Israr from University of Swat, said that the core idea of democracy is public empowerment through their participation in the decision making processes, where the public representatives are answerable to the citizens. Democracy may not be perfect but the best available system of governance. Unlike democracy, the public participation in anarchy is extremely limited.
Mrs. Shagufta Khalique, educationist, said that rights and responsibilities are inter-connected. Educating public on the rights and responsibilities anchored in their constitution as well as the international commitments like UDHR is absolutely necessary for social cohesion and peace. The Constitution of Pakistan provides guidelines and basic principles for equal citizenry, however, the role of youth in promoting these ideals of equality and tolerance is direly needed to minimize human rights violations in the society.
