On Thursday, 30^th September, 2025, Mr. Zulfiqar Cheema, former Inspector General of Police, delivered an extension lecture on the Rule of Law to the participants of the 38^th Senior Management Course (SMC) at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA), Lahore.

Mr. Cheema noted that laws of the land embody the collective will of the people, and their effective enforcement is the cornerstone of equality before the law. He further noted that the absence of the rule of law results in governance by the whims of individuals, undermining justice and stability. Describing the rule of law as the gateway to social and economic development, he traced its decline in Pakistan’s turbulent political history, marked by constitutional manipulation, the role of the military and judiciary, and vested interests.

Mr. Cheema observed that repeated violations and impunity created a culture of disregard for law, further compounded by corruption, elitism, and weak institutions. He also cited failures of the legislature, civilian leaders, civil servants, and the media as factors preventing a culture of respect for law from taking root in Pakistan. Drawing from his vast personal experience, he noted how alienation of the masses and poor governance eroded trust in the state institutions.

Mr. Cheema identified three essential qualities of leadership ‒ character, competence, and courage. He urged drastic reforms in leadership selection, depoliticisation of the judiciary, competitive selection of judges, and prioritisation of training, with the best officers placed at training institutions. He concluded that each individual must conscientiously play their role in strengthening the rule of law.

The lecture was followed by an extensive Q&A session.