Beyond Lawyers & Doctors Conundrum

It all came to the fore when one of the doctors made a video wherein he mocked the lawyers for their alleged cowardice and nonchalance about the very law they ostensibly seem to uphold. The reality, as always, is marred by the actions on both the sides but the drama unfolds the very thought-process which rests within the institutional strength of various professional organisations. Definitely there is much to say about why this imbroglio was created and how inefficiently it was handled later on, but perhaps the matter, which could have been resolved by amicable means, drifted deep into rage and sabotage. Resultantly the hospital was raided after the lawyers went on a rampage to settle scores with the doctors at Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) Lahore.

Now, there are three categories of spectators:-

A. Ones who think doctors were in the wrong and must be taken to task for arousing the wrath of lawyers.

B. Ones who have all their sympathies with the doctors and want lawyers to be told an unforgettable lesson, for they raided the caridiac hospital like goons and sabitaged the treatment being administered to caridac patients.

C. Ones who are for a total overhaul of both sides so that such incidents never happen ever again.

The last category seems to be a bit more idealistic than the former two. There is no doubt that our system needs an overhaul but how, when and by whom are three big questions to be answered before recommending such measures. The blatant disregard for professional ethics is a case that is common to almost every institution in Pakistan and an overhaul would require a complete revitilisation of the system including legislature, defence, judiciary and specially media per se. That would further require a strong and devoted team led by a uncorruptable and wary leader to do the job. In case of Imran Khan, we can say he is the man with latter qualities but whither that team to take pain that is required for the system's overhaul! In the near future, there is no hope of something pragmatically good, with the kind of clique of politicians Imran Khan is circumvented by. For sure, it is beyond lawyers and doctors conundrum that we are looking at. In my view:-

A. Concrete steps are required for dealing with the constitutional boundries for every pillar of the state.

B. Respect for equal citizens of the state is an obligation we all must accept. There is no way out of it. Enforcement of law is not possible when people in the business of law would flout the law itself.

C. The Chief Justice of Pakistan should take a suo-moto action against the lawyers involved in the rampage forthwith. All those found guilty must be dealt with severely. Bench and Bar Love should come to an end or it will make the situation worse in coming days.

D. Media should have the courage to speak up for the truth even if is difficult. I think that's enough for the corporate media-houses.

It is in our favour to keep our wits about and act. Anyhow, sooner or later we'll have to realise the gravity of the issue and make amends in the whole system that runs the mockingly called Banana State of today