Hobbes defines law as command of those having coercive power. Suppose a gunman enters in a house and command the residence to declare all wealth and announce his rules that any person who raises voice will be gun down. If his command is not carried out then he at once award punishment according to his rules but gunman in the house has fear of being offered bullets breakfast by law enforcing Agencies.
Gunman law is like law of big brother (Dictator) who has more gunmen and encroach vast area. Gunman law or big brother law is not accepted by the majority of people of society and is therefore, not a law, command is a law given by superior to inferior and majority of society obey but superior authority does not obey to any other person or persons. Solemn defines Law as command of superior or sovereign, enforceable by sanction.
In primitive society law was static controlled by customs and traditions promoting the interest of dominant class in absence of legislation. Civilised society is ruled by law. In our society rural population is under the control of landlords who decide the dispute of people by arbitration and impose fine, penalties and punishment. Sometime fine includes presentation of females to the aggrieved party or killing by tradition of karo-kari. Paid professional killer after taking supari, gun down the targeted person and suicide attacker under tribal influence blow himself with explosives killing many innocent people. Whether these killers should be prosecuted under the prevailing law or they need legislation of special law awarding punishment on the basis of eye for eye and life for life.
Conflicts between rich and poor, religious extremist and moderate, oppression of criminals and terrorists is a crucial period in our society. These conflicts between groups are a lead to major source of change and recombine diverse elements into new patterns with passage of time.
Development of mind brings about social development by social changes linked with growth of modern science and technology resulting in economic development. It is the responsibility of society to develop its members into moral human beings. The power of majority is government power and opinion of majority as opinion of government. If individuals see any evil or criminal person, they are under obligation to report to police station or citizen police liaison committee through public telephone. Individual should not only convey information by identifying the criminals but should also hate them because criminals gets energy from fear of individuals and projection of there criminal activities through media repeatedly.
Individuals live in a society and form rules to satisfy there needs and prohibits violence to protect there lives and attend peaceful society for achievement of their needs. Society consists of individuals, persons or citizens. These individuals have desire of shelters, food, house, rule of law and liberty etc. The western society is transformed from barbarian underdeveloped society into developed civilised society. There was a period when rigorous punishment like burning alive to death and hanging were given with slaughter and destruction in war.
In our society there is joint family system. Property is held in common and authority is exercised by head of family. Culture and religion is strong force uniting the joint family. Culture and religion play important part restraining individuals form illegal activities in society according to cultural tradition. Moral progress is based on cultural and tradition and economic progress is based on industrialisation and development of modern and advance technology.
In Pakistan activities of criminal like terrorist, murderers and dacoits, gang rapist and abductors are on rise. The terrorist besides drug trafficking also indulge in abduction, killing, dacoity and land grabbing. Since we are in war against terrorists, therefore' terrorists so captured should be kept in separate jails and should be trialed in the same jail and accommodation to judges, witnesses should be provided in the same area of jail to protect from harassment and influence of terrorists.
Education system is the back bone of a country. Youth and children are inspired by prevailing education system. First time in history of Pakistan vice chancellor of 40 public universities protested against slashing funds of public universities. Weather our educational institutions motivate students to join science and technology and undertake scientific research and inventions. Vice chancellors committee participated by 40 vice chancellor of the government run universities have demanded 4% of GDP in the next budget for education as against global percentage of 4.9% of GDP spending on education.
In a leading Urdu newspaper professor Dr Muhammad Rafiq Sheikh in his article dated 5th December has pointed out that sub-standards scientific instruments and apparatus have been purchased much costlier and more than requirement lying unused, dusty in universities and importers of these instruments have progressed much and earned billion of profit but there is no progress in the field of science. It is also difficult in getting admission in professional medical and engineering colleges.
There was a time when European students used to come for study in Muslims universities. Now traffic is reversed. If European countries abolish visa restriction for study then a few student will be left studying in Pakistani universities. Education is one of the major export industry in west generating substantial revenue. Allocation of fund to universities should be on the basis of performance in the field of science and technology of international standard. Education in our universities should prepare students by transmitting culture, tradition, customs and moral of society beside science and technology. Education is a vital means for control of social conduct therefore no person should be denied for providing education.
Lack of discipline in the families, poor supervision of parents, school drop -out and child abuse are linked to deviant behaviour. College graduates are engaged in criminality by political patronage. Allocation of more funds is necessary for universities. Fund can be raised by inviting industrialist to invest in scientific projects and invention by science graduates so that these inventions can be marketed on commercial basis.
In Europe students are sponsored for studies by industries and financial groups etc as a result students are free from financial strain and devote full time to study.
Two decades ago there were Muhallah Committees functional within jurisdiction of relevant police station and used to watch activities of criminal in liaison with police. This system is no more enforced and likely to be replaced by community policing. Absence of such system does not absolve citizen from moral obligation. They must hate criminals and if there is some fear, they can report to police through public call office or police liaison committee without their identification other wise not reporting the where about of terrorist and criminals in neighbourhood and constitute abetment in crime is a criminal negligence, which will promote negative activities in society. Parents has also moral obligations to raise their children as good citizens with moral courage to prevent and discourage evil in society.
There are 17 corers citizens in Pakistan after excluding about one crore blinds, ills and insane, remaining 16 crores have 32 crores eyes and it is impossible that terrorist and criminal can hide from 32 crore eyes provided these eyes are of patriotic and responsible citizen. However, advance camera enforcement network may be installed and should be controlled through controlled room by a committee comprising of police, a member of citizen community and police liaison committee to control crime.
(The writer is former Deputy Collector Customs.)