THE Supreme Court has reaffirmed constitutional respect for citizens, but real reform now depends on Parliament and effective implementation by the executive.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s judgment of 30 January 2026, authored by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, affirms a fundamental constitutional principle: the police are servants of the public, not rulers over it. By directing that expressions such as “Bakhidmat Janab SHO” be discontinued in police applications and discouraging the use of the term faryadi, the Court has sought to ensure that citizens are treated with dignity and respect in their interactions with law enforcement.

This judgment deserves to be welcomed and, more importantly, implemented in letter and spirit. The Court has not merely issued administrative directions; it has reminded all state institutions that authority must be........

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