The perception that Pakistan's legal system disproportionately targets the weak while offering leniency to the rich and powerful is, unfortunately, well-founded. Many believe that the law - devised as a tool to protect the weak - serves as a weapon against the vulnerable, while the influential manipulate it to their advantage. This view, shaped by numerous instances where justice appears to have been skewed, has eroded public trust in the judicial system and fostered a dangerous societal divide.

One glaring example of this disparity is found in the case of Raymond Davis, a CIA contractor who had shot and killed two Pakistanis in Lahore on January 27, 2011. Despite the severity of his crime, Davis was eventually released after the victims' families were reportedly coerced into accepting "blood money" under Pakistan's Qisas and Diyat laws. His swift departure from the country thereafter, facilitated by foreign influence and political pressure, annoyed many Pakistanis. The incident reinforced the belief that the powerful can escape justice while ordinary citizens are made to bear the full weight of the law.

Diyat, or blood money, is an Islamic legal concept rooted in the Holy Quran and Sunnah, serving as compensation paid to the family of a murder victim. The Holy Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:178), outlines the principle of Qisas (retribution), but also allows for the option of forgiveness and the acceptance of Diyat. The amount of Diyat is typically equivalent to 100 camels or their monetary value, though this can vary depending on the circumstances and the socio-economic context. The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) further elaborates on this, emphasising justice, fairness, and the importance of preserving life. Diyat is not only a financial compensation but also a means of promoting reconciliation........

© The Friday Times