For decades, Pakistan has struggled with a deep-rooted mindset of disregarding rules. Law-breaking has become so normalized that many citizens now treat it as a personal right rather than a wrongdoing. Whether it is traffic, business operations, public behavior, or civic responsibility, the prevailing attitude remains the same: do the right thing in the wrong way, take shortcuts, think only about personal benefit, and ignore the impact on society. This culture of self-interest has shaped a nation that often resists discipline and accountability at every level.
History shows that whenever the state attempts to regulate or enforce laws, immediate backlash follows. In 2015, when the Punjab Food Authority launched crackdowns on unhygienic restaurants, owners threatened to protest instead of improving their standards. When private schools built inside residential areas were sealed for violating regulations, school owners also protested in the name of “rights.” The pattern is clear: breaking laws is acceptable, but applying laws is treated as injustice. The contradiction becomes even more ironic when the same citizens travel to Gulf countries or Europe, where they instantly transform into disciplined and law-abiding individuals because they know that rules are strict and excuses will not be entertained.
Some people now argue that the government should “first raise awareness.” The question is awareness since when? Since 1947? How many more decades does this nation need to understand basic civic responsibility? The truth is that people are not ignorant. They intentionally violate laws. They habitually drive on the wrong side, skip signals, and break rules because they know they can get away with it. We have unfortunately become a nation that sympathizes with violators and even defends them, simply because most of us are also involved in similar violations. When the state takes action, this collective guilt turns into emotional resistance.
Nowhere is this indiscipline more visible than on Pakistan’s roads. Traffic rules are openly ignored, and enforcement has historically been weak. Underage drivers roam freely despite clear laws banning minors from riding motorbikes or driving cars. Many ride without licenses and refuse to wear helmets, directly contributing to countless accidents across the country. Young riders with modified loud silencers create unbearable noise pollution, while some engage in life-threatening stunts like one-wheeling. Truck drivers occupy fast lanes and choke traffic. Bus drivers frequently stop in the middle of the road to pick up passengers, putting lives at risk for a few rupees. Shockingly, even traffic police officers themselves sometimes violate the very rules they are expected to enforce.
Against this backdrop, the recent strict measures taken by the Punjab Government mark a rare moment of courage. For the first time in years, authorities appear determined to restore order on the roads and introduce discipline among the public. Unsurprisingly, many citizens are now expressing outrage, not because the rules are unfair, but because they require people to behave responsibly. For a society accustomed to breaking rules without consequence, strict enforcement feels uncomfortable. Yet if Pakistan is to move toward a safer and more civilized environment, this discomfort is necessary.
I believe Pakistan needs an independent and powerful traffic enforcement body, similar to PEERA or CCD, to regulate road behavior consistently. Instead of registering FIRs for every violation, authorities could impose heavy fines and immediately confiscate vehicles as a stronger deterrent. A centralized digital database of licensed drivers must be created so that repeat offenders can be tracked. After seven violations, a person’s vehicle should be confiscated and auctioned. For dangerous crimes like one-wheeling or using loud silencers, confiscation should occur on the first offense. Once a bike or car is seized and sold by the government, the message will be loud and clear, not only for the violator but for generations to come.
Now, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to install Point of Sale (POS) systems and introduce QR codes to register shopkeepers for sales tax. In response, the trading community has announced a protest on 30 December 2025 against the FBR. Traders in Islamabad have declared that they will strongly resist the installation of POS systems and have even shown their intention to go for a shutter-down strike. The question is: why? The installation of POS systems is beneficial for improving tax collection, preventing tax evasion, and digitizing the system in line with international standards. It is a step toward transparency and accountability.
In my opinion, whenever government authorities try to introduce reforms to make Pakistan better, the beneficiaries of loopholes and habitual law violators react with protests. Instead of complying with the law, they choose resistance to protect their personal interests. Pakistan stands at a crossroads. Either the nation continues down the path of indiscipline and lawlessness, or it embraces accountability and begins to function like a responsible society. The choice is not the government’s alone. Every citizen must change their mindset. Only then can real progress begin.
About the Author:
Rashid Dar is an HR professional and social reform enthusiast who has been writing on governance, defense, and institutional development for the past 17 years.