NASEEM Khan’s letter ‘VIPs vs police constable’ (Jan 16) makes me go back in time to see how things have changed and principles of olden days have disappeared.

Khwaja Nazimuddin was the prime minister when a car was going from the Prime Minister House to receive a foreign dignitary at Karachi airport. Being late, the car was going at full speed. It was stopped by a police constable on Drigh Road for breaking the speed limit.

The officer in the car tried to throw his weight around saying, “Do you know whose car is this? It is from the Prime Minister’s House. But the constable said: “It doesn’t matter, who it belongs to. It has exceeded the speed limit and the fine is Rs5”.

However, the officer continued his argument until the assistant said they would be late for the dignitary. So they paid the fine and went off.

The next day the constable was called to the Prime Minister’s House. Fearing the worst, he was brought in front of the Prime Minister. To his surprise Khwaja Nazimuddin stood up, embraced him and gave him a letter of promotion for his excellent duty.

What a far cry we are from this and unfortunately there seems no sign of change!

Name withheld on request

Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2017