Islamabad (Digital Post) Westminster Case: When interest, position and relationship come together in one place, questions will arise. There is an old tradition in Pakistan: when a weak person reaches the door of a powerful person seeking justice, the first thing they are told is that the matter is not that serious and that it would be better to remain silent.<\/p>\n
But if the matter concerns an influential institution, a person in authority, or one\u2019s own people, then suddenly the definitions of principles, law, morality and transparency all change.<\/p>\n
The same is the real question in the case of Westminster International School.<\/p>\n
A serious allegation concerning a minor girl has emerged, a mother is raising her voice, the matter has moved from social media to the national level, and now demands are being made for answers and investigations from the relevant institutions.<\/p>\n
And on the other hand, the question is what is the role of those who, on such an occasion, should be standing at the forefront, raising their voice for the child\u2019s rights and for a transparent investigation?<\/p>\n
This question becomes even more important because, according to official information, Barrister Daniyal Chaudhary is the Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, and in an officially reported event of Westminster International School, he was prominently shown alongside the school leadership.<\/p>\n
So the question arises: Daniyal Sahib, if this matter had happened to the daughter of an ordinary Pakistani, which side would you stand on?<\/p>\n
Would you say, bring the CCTV forward?<\/p>\n
Would you satisfy the parents?<\/p>\n
Would you say that the investigation should take place without any pressure?<\/p>\n
The matter concerns your own institution, so first protect the institution\u2019s honour. This is exactly where the difference between politics and principles becomes apparent.<\/p>\n
The real test of a person in authority is this: giving speeches about children\u2019s rights is very easy. Standing at school events and talking about children\u2019s future, education, character and a safe environment is also very easy.<\/p>\n
But the real test comes on the day when a finger is pointed at your own institution.<\/p>\n
That day reveals whether you are truly standing with the child or merely standing with your institution.<\/p>\n
Because if the allegation is false, then an independent investigation is the best course.<\/p>\n
And if there is truth in the allegation, then the honour of any institution, the power of any position and the relationship of any influential person cannot be greater than a child\u2019s right to justice.<\/p>\n
Then the issue is no longer how Westminster\u2019s honour should be protected. The issue becomes how the trust of a minor child should be protected.<\/p>\n
What an extraordinary coincidence.<\/p>\n
In our politics, our own people are a strange species.<\/p>\n
If our own person makes a mistake, it is called a misunderstanding.<\/p>\n
If our own institution is accused, it is called a conspiracy.<\/p>\n
If a finger is pointed at our own worker, it is said, let the investigation take place.<\/p>\n
But if a poor person asks a question, they are immediately asked for proof, proof and more proof.<\/p>\n
And when a mother raises a question for her daughter, she too is first told that there is safety in silence.<\/p>\n
This should no longer be the old Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Now a mother\u2019s voice should be understood as a complaint, not noise.<\/p>\n
A child\u2019s words should be considered the starting point of an investigation, not defamation.<\/p>\n
And a powerful institution should be considered an accountable party before the law, not an enemy.<\/p>\n
A few straightforward questions for Daniyal Chaudhary Sahib:<\/p>\n
If your relationship with Westminster is administrative in nature, how will you ensure your impartiality in this matter?<\/p>\n
If your relationship is not administrative but of some other nature, why is it not made clear to the public?<\/p>\n
If the school is innocent, what is there to fear from an independent investigation?<\/p>\n
If the allegation is false, why the hesitation in presenting complete evidence?<\/p>\n
And if a mistake has occurred somewhere, then why is an impression also being created that there is an attempt to protect the responsible person?<\/p>\n
These questions exist because the public has the right to doubt, and influential people have the responsibility to remove that doubt.<\/p>\n
The real issue is not Daniyal Chaudhary; it is the system.<\/p>\n
We should not declare any employee guilty without evidence.<\/p>\n
But we must certainly say that if a question has been raised regarding alleged abuse of a minor girl, the investigation should be such that the girl\u2019s mother can trust it and the ordinary person can trust it as well.<\/p>\n
This trust will not come from statements; it will come from transparency.<\/p>\n
CCTV footage should also be brought forward so that the parents and the public themselves can see what the actual matter is, and be informed.<\/p>\n
Witness statements should be recorded.<\/p>\n
The police should conduct its investigation.<\/p>\n
The relevant child rights institution should fulfil its responsibility.<\/p>\n
And if an allegation is proven against anyone, they should not receive any concession on the basis of their position, relationship or power.<\/p>\n
In speeches, we say children are our future.<\/p>\n
In reality, if that same child starts asking for justice, then why is there an attempt to silence the future?<\/p>\n
The protection of children should be our priority.<\/p>\n
Then when a mother asks for protection and justice, why should she feel alone?<\/p>\n
If the law is equal for everyone, then why should the voice of the law become weak before powerful institutions?<\/p>\n
Daniyal Sahib, you have a historic opportunity.<\/p>\n
You can, if you wish, become the strongest voice in this entire matter.<\/p>\n
If Westminster is innocent, let there be an investigation and let it be cleared of the allegations; if someone is guilty, then even if that person is my own, let them be handed over to the law.<\/p>\n
This one sentence can end all the questions being raised against you.<\/p>\n
But if the institution comes first, the child later; relationship first, justice later; and self-defence first, independent investigation later, then questions will arise, and questions will arise and should arise because this is not an issue of any political party.<\/p>\n
This is not an issue of any school\u2019s marketing.<\/p>\n
This is not even an issue of any individual\u2019s honour.<\/p>\n
Remember, the honour of institutions is not built through the silence of children; it is built through the protection of children.<\/p>\n
If the allegation is false, let the truth come forward.<\/p>\n
If the allegation is correct, let justice come forward.<\/p>\n
But for God\u2019s sake, do not create such a Pakistan where the silence of powerful and influential people is stronger than the voice of a child.<\/p>\n
Because in a society where a child asks for justice and powerful people become busy protecting their own defences, the issue no longer remains only about one school.<\/p>\n
The question is directed at the entire system.<\/p>\n
After all, in this country, who will stand up for children when powerful people stand against them?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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