PUNISHMENT OVER INTENT IN PAKISTANI LAW

Abstract

This thesis investigates how poverty, inequality, and desperation frequently lead individuals to commit crimes in Pakistan. Although modern laws often answer back with strict sentence, traditional Islamic law documented intent, necessity, and setting— offering compassion for crimes compelled by survival. Historical instances, such as Caliph Umar Ibn Khattab suspension of hudud during famine, redirects this empathetic methodology. The study analyses Pakistan’s unyielding legal responses and calls for reforms grounded in Islamic principles of justice and mercy. As Kanwel, Asghar, and Khan (2024), “A criminal justice system that focuses solely on punishment without addressing the underlying causes of crime fails not only the offender but also society at large” To complement the study, this project takes the account of a mixed-media visual book uniting photography and illustration. It narrates stories of people who committed crimes out of desperation, pointing to civilize them and induce understanding in audiences. The design highlights emotional storytelling and challenges societal decision, linking academic research with art and advocacy. This thesis ultimately argues for a justice system that balances accountability with compassion and reflects the ethical spirit of Islamic jurisprudence