VIP culture

Published January 6, 2017

ALTHOUGH Pakistan gained independence in 1947, its people are still socially and culturally slave to colonial traditions and customs.

The remnants of VIP culture were left intact. It remained in practice with great fanfare. It has become the way of life.

Our ruling class has insensitively used protocol preferences, never staying away from the VIP treatment, which makes the lives of common citizens extremely difficult and cumbersome.

During their movement in the city or elsewhere, roads and streets are blocked and closed for hours.

Traffic is paralysed, and even people die on the roadside without getting any medical aid.

Sometimes babies are born in auto rickshaws or die as a lack of access to any hospital.

Recently a sick girl, Bisma, died as a consequence of not getting medical aid on time because a VIP was on his way to inaugurate a hospital and all roads leading to hospitals had been closed.

It is time the authorities concerned made life hassle-free for the people.

Javaid Bashir
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...