Zardari goes shopping
Yesterday evening at around 5:30 pm I decided to a walk on the road behind Bilawal House when I noticed a huge police presence. They were stopping all heavy traffic and very quickly a long line of oil tankers began to form.
-Photo by Vaqar Ahmed
Upon speaking with one of the policeman there, I learnt that Mr. Zardari had gone to the Hyperstar Supermarket and the heavy traffic would move only after he had come back.
-Photo by Vaqar Ahmed
The tankers had to wait for an hour before they were allowed to move. I took this as an opportunity to snap a few pictures highlighting just how thoughtful our rulers are.
The policeman and all the truck drivers were chatting. And everyone seemed to be in a jovial mood. None seemed overly concerned about the delay.
-Photo by Vaqar Ahmed
I told the drivers and the policeman there that in my 25 years in Canada I did not encounter one case where the traffic was held up due to VIP movement. They were all amazed.
In addition, they said now that anyone of any importance had armed guards in their convoys, it was hard to tell if it was them or the actual criminals who are the greater threat to the people of Pakistan.
The author is an engineer turned part-time journalist who likes to hangout at unfashionable places like shrines, railway stations and bus stops.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Hyder Ali expressed his views about democracy which are facts belonging to the present govt.’s attitude.
In future,we do hope for the better situation if democracy prevails.
Dear sir,
Now a days wherever you live the general public is suffering due to incompetent leadership. Democracy’s new mantra is fool the people, cheat the people and loot the people.
Kind Regards,
Hyder
how pathetic…he can’t go to supermarket without blocking the whole area. Scared!!!
The president goes shopping while the country burns.. many people died in meaningless rioting over some film, and the president, instead of trying to do his part to stop the violence, goes shopping.
By the what Zaradri bought from the supermarket,if someone could guess?
Did not know Zardari was an ordinary human being who also went shopping just like me. The policemen have to their duty, no blaming them.
there used to be a person who used to come to my store almost everyday to buy everyday neccesities until after a few months i was watching him on TV,thats when i came to know that he is the state senator.This is in New York
Several time I held back at I90 highway For hours in Chicago due to USA vice president travelling from Ohare airport to chicago . Thing are same everywhere
But there is never religious rally in Canada and USA as far I remember .Please Write something about it.
I agree. Apparently, Mr. Vaqar’s Canada is the only country where traffic does not get stopped due to the presence of the Head of the State. I believe that a peaceful protest to show disgust and contempt of the film about the Holy Prophet is not only the right thing , it must be done. However, damaging the property of people who had nothing to do with the film is senseless and wrong.
saeed is not right. president of united states is always going and coming. I have never heard him blocking a freeway for even an hour.
I remember Pres. Clinton was heavily criticized as he had gone for a hair-cut in Los angles while his plane was blocking traffing at an airport.
Fully agreed we are living in prison we cant move without the orders of our jailers, may ALLAH PAK save from these evils.
you right but Saeed needs to know traffic doesn’t stop on any VIP movement. Very rarely you can see but never more than 5 minutes. Better see western world rather than assuming the facts.
TRAFFIC IS MADE TO STOP FOR A SHAMELESS PERSON. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD !
East and west pakistan is the best!
Seriously? Stay in Canada, and don’t worry about it. Yawn.
what else president can do as he have nothing much to so do as country is running smoothly so no worried, keep it up president, waiting for next visit, but do inform atleast 24 hours before to serve you much better by keeping the roads empty.
Very well agreed with you Riaz Khan.
Nothing stops the President from shopping in Dubai. He should have gone there, and left this plundered country to the poor masses.
Well said
In the past 10 years that I am in Canada, I have not seen a single VIP movement on the road and else where of the kind witnessed in Pakistan. In a Bank, a Café or at the air port you never know who is behind in the queue. Four years ago I saw Mississauga Mayor Hazel Michelin in the Square One Mall in Carassauga festival with only one unarmed guard.
Good job Vaqar Ahmed . We need people like you to educate us.
What about inside the Hyper Star? I wonder if it was not vacated as well. I would like to advise Mr. President to chose Dubai for future shopping, it’s just a sea across, and wouldn’t take much time in his private, albeit public funded, jet.
Be glad the road was eventually cleared for traffic. Our dear president may jolly well erect masive walls around it, forbid entry to all public traffic, and install a police guard around at teh entrance. He has already practiced this on Khayaban-e-Saadi in front onf Bilalwal House.
pakistan cannot be compared to any civilized country. for 64 years matters in pakistan have gone from bad to worst and I don’t blame Zardari for taking security steps – he should have choose shopping in dubai or london with no security threats.
Please do not compare Canada with Pakistan! They are people whereas we are just bunch of crowd.
Generalisations and labelling people is offensive