ESSAY

 1. WILL 'RULE OF LAW' REMAIN AN INAPLICABLE MYTH IN OUR COUNTRY?

Its past is littered with flimsy devotion to the idea. The law has been exploited as a political instrument for personal benefit, as well as a hammer to attain illegal goals at whatever cost. Examples abound: Necessity, as a means of legitimizing unconstitutional actions; the use of presidential discretion to dissolve elected legislatures; religious offenses, in order to retain religious hegemony.

According to the World Justice Project's 2023 Rule of Law Index, Pakistan ranks 130th out of 142 countries. This low ranking is hardly surprising. However, no state agency, political party, or chief justice appears to be addressing the issue. This situation initially appears confusing. After all, without a strong rule of law regime, there will be no progress, economic prosperity, or peace. Why isn't anyone talking about changing our legal system?

Perhaps the solution lies in the country's lack of rule of law, which favors those who have historically held power in Pakistan. Furthermore, the way the legislation is written requires and reinforces hierarchy. A hierarchy that favours not only those who have historically wielded authority, but also those with wealth and social capital.

The requirement that the law apply equally to all parties has long been a crucial part of the rule of law. No person or institution of the state should be above the law.Those who break the law must be held accountable, regardless of who they are.

We know that this is not true in our country.The legal system reflects the power imbalance that exists in Pakistan. While our history demonstrates that the law has gone above and beyond to hold politicians accountable, it beats a quick retreat when it comes to tyrants and those who support them.It is alarming how the law is used to justify some of the most heinous crimes taking place in certain regions of the country. Parts of Balochistan and KPK appear to exist entirely outside the law. The only type of law that is permitted admission there is the one that benefits those in authority.

The judicial system also promotes a hierarchy of wealth. Wealth gives you time, which in turn buys you the law. They say 'delay defeats justice,' but Pakistan never got that message. Allow me to give you an example of how lengthy a case might last in our legal system: on January 2018, the Supreme Court issued its decision on a case that had been filed 100 years ago.

Even even the most minor contractual issue, lawyers must tell their clients that the case will take at least ten years before a trial court makes a ruling – longer if either party decides to appeal. This equates to more than ten years of legal expenses, costs, and many trips to court.

 With little legal aid and judges rarely issuing expense orders, the bulk of Pakistanis cannot afford it. That is why they defer to politicians, biraderi, or simply pay a one-time bribe to avoid going to court.

Wealth provides access to social capital. And the law favors the language of a specific socioeconomic class.

The rule of law requires that the law be as clear and accessible to all as possible. People should be aware of the law in order to arrange their life and understand their rights.

However, the vast majority of Pakistanis are unfamiliar with the concept of law.

Written almost entirely in English, taught in English, and judged in English. The law is written in a foreign language, thus only a small portion of the population has access to it. A small part that interprets, shapes, and enacts it in their own best interests. The bulk of the country's population has never experienced constitutional rights, thus discussions about them are worthless to them.

The repercussions of having a system in which the law supports existing power structures are, of course, the continued replication of hierarchy.

 As a result, the law, which was intended to protect everyone, only protects a select few. The remainder of the country has become fully dependent on this small minority.

We must destabilize this system; else, our country will not progress on any front. The only way to do this right now is to make a collective demand for change.

 2. BY PAINS MEN COME TO GREATER PAINS

The phrase "By pains men come to greater pains" expresses a basic truth about the nature of struggle and advancement. It implies that the work and suffering required to overcome hurdles frequently lead to additional challenges. This cyclical relationship between effort and misery may be seen in many parts of life, ranging from personal development to professional advancement. Understanding this notion illuminates the intricate dynamics of struggle and achievement, emphasizing both the inevitability of rising problems and the solutions for dealing with them.

Initially, problems and pains are generally caused by personal or external conditions. For example, an individual may confront career challenges such as job uncertainty or skill gaps. These trials, while challenging, can result in considerable personal growth and development.

 However, the process of overcoming these initial setbacks typically involves confronting additional challenges. The effort necessary to tackle a single issue may result in new challenges, such as greater stress or responsibility. This illustrates the cyclical nature of conflict, in which each attempt to better a situation may unintentionally produce new problems.

The concept of linear progress is frequently an illusion. While people may want for a clear path to success or resolution, the fact is that development might be cyclical or incremental. Achieving a goal may result in increased expectations or demands, creating a paradox in which progress leads to further obstacles. For example, a promotion in a career can come with additional responsibilities and higher stress levels, demonstrating how new heights can bring new challenges. 

 Psychologically, ongoing issues can have a substantial impact on mental health. Persistent stress, worry, and burnout are common consequences of continuous problems. Coping methods, including as mindfulness practices, resilience training, and seeking help, are critical in dealing with these emotional and psychological effects. Understanding and implementing effective coping strategies can help people better navigate the complexities of their challenges.

In a broader sense, different cultures and philosophies provide diverse interpretations of the link between effort and misery. Stoicism, for example, stresses embracing challenges as a natural part of the human experience and focusing on how one handles them. Similarly, Buddhism teaches that pain is an unavoidable aspect of life, but it also provides ways to transcend and manage it.

 Society's expectations influence how we view and respond to development and pain. Cultural standards on success and failure can influence how people experience and respond to adversity.

Finally, the line "By pains men come to greater pains" conveys a basic fact about the nature of conflict and progress. The cyclical relationship between effort and pain demonstrates that conquering hurdles frequently results in new ones. Individuals can better navigate their personal and professional development journeys if they grasp this dynamic and use good coping mechanisms. Embracing the complexity of struggle can result in a better understanding of oneself and a more resilient attitude to accomplishing one's goals.