Blowing up VIP culture: 'Who authorised you to block the boulevard?'

E-Paper | June 11, 2026

LAHORE: Abhorrence of the VIP culture is not something new but the man in the street seems to have got voice as was evidenced during a traffic snarl-up on Sunday.

After waiting for 15 minutes or so, people held ‘hostage’ at the Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi intersection on Gulberg’s Main Boulevard on Sunday evening to ensure a smooth drive for some VVIP started blowing horns of their motorcycles and cars.

The traffic wardens attempted to pacify the angry motorists but some of them exchanged hot words with them and started moving towards the boulevard. Caught by surprise, the wardens started snatching keys from the motorists.

Fuming anger at VIP movement

“Return my keys immediately or I’ll be getting a robbery case registered against you,” a middle-aged motorist threatened while attempting to dial some number from his mobile phone.

“Who authorised you to block the whole boulevard from Centre Point up to Jail Road for such a long time? And who authorised you to snatch keys?” asked the angry man now having the support of half a dozen motorcyclists who too had their keys with the warden.

“Sir, Hum tao hukam kay ghulam hain,” responded the warden while returning the keys to the motorists as the convoy of the VVIP had passed away towards Mini Market by then.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2014

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Agha Ata

Oct 06, 2014 06:56pm

They should have caught the guy who gave them hukam. They should also have questioned the VIP if he thought this method of traffic control for his car was proper.

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AdHawk

Oct 06, 2014 07:08pm

Wish they were more 'qanoon Kay ghulam' instead.

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Arif Khan

Oct 06, 2014 07:14pm

Change has come, ultimately there will be no road blocks by these usurpers, Tabdeeli aye nahi Tabdeeli a'a gayee hai!

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Key Points

Oct 06, 2014 07:20pm

Who are these V V I P' s? Are they politicians? Are they servants of nation, paid big salary to serve the nation or elites to show off their power and status to cause traffic jams? All those drivers whose keys were snatches would do a big favour to all other drivers, by writing a letter to news paper editors and TV station, and a copy to traffic polic as a protest to this VIP traffic jams.

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mian

Oct 06, 2014 07:21pm

Traffic wardens should just follow the Law. If any VIP threatens there job , then our Courts should protect them. But for people, they should throw dirty eggs at faces of such narcissistic VIPs.They think they are from some other planet.This stupid VIP culture must be finished for ever.No one is VIP except who is respecting Law.

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mujahid

Oct 06, 2014 07:27pm

THIS IS CALLED AWAKENING & ITS TIME POLICE/ELITE FORCE SHOWS RESTRAINT OTHERWISE THE PUBLIC IS CHARGED & WILL NOT FORGIVE ANYONE CREATING HINDRANC SO TIME TO GO

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One Nation

Oct 06, 2014 07:30pm

Tabdeeli Aa Gayee Hai. People are not willing to behave like sacrificial sheep anymore.

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Sunny

Oct 06, 2014 07:31pm

If someone says what Ik had done? This is enough evidence that change has already come. Leaders like him born in centuries. And we are lucky enough to have two in 67 years. The great quaid azam made one nation and Imran revitalized the nation. We should join him in his cause before it's too late.

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Ahmad

Oct 06, 2014 07:35pm

Be careful people Maryam will send her troops to destroy all who want to eradicate VIP culture from this country.

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Jawad

Oct 06, 2014 07:37pm

Narrow escape for who ever that VIP was.

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Usman

Oct 06, 2014 07:40pm

SubhanAllah

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hashim

Oct 06, 2014 07:46pm

thanks IK, you are giving people voice against these so called VVIPs.

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Qamar

Oct 06, 2014 07:54pm

Thank you IK for making us aware that we are being treated like slave subjects in a kingdom.

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mohammadali

Oct 06, 2014 08:02pm

Government of the VVIP, by the VVIP for the VVIP

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Ajaya K Dutt

Oct 06, 2014 08:02pm

@Arif Khan - Congratulations to Pakistan. Truly, this second incidence shows "Tabdeeli Aaa Gayee Hai".

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Jawad

Oct 06, 2014 08:06pm

TABDEELI a nahi rahi TABDEELI a gay hai ...

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ashok kumar lal

Oct 06, 2014 08:09pm

I wish people in India had same courage.VVIP culture is horrible here.

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Oct 06, 2014 08:13pm

Every one is reacting with anger at VIP culture but I know every one loves it too. How ever look forward at the airport standing in line with IK , Qurashi for the Passport control and check in. These people talk a lot but at the end of the day they are all benefiting form it and they love going to the VIP LOUNGES .

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Nasser

Oct 06, 2014 08:18pm

@mohammadali ! Well said; but the VVIPs and the VIPs will be history sonn - Inshallah!

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Oct 06, 2014 08:22pm

The main reason for traffic jams is the enchroacments by all shop keepers and make shift shops. eveyone is a vip here why blame few of them

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Athar Mukhtar

Oct 06, 2014 08:34pm

There will a day In Sha Allah in near future when people restricted to use roads during so called VIPs movement will instead block the road of some VIP and will demand public apology at the spot. No to VIPs specially the politicians who cause traffic jams for hundreds of very people who elect them.

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kamran

Oct 06, 2014 08:48pm

@tj because all shop keepers and make shift shops dont get govt facilities and loot billions of rupees besides that is an administration issue which should be dealt with concerned local authority (anti corruption) but these vvips flaunt the law and never get caught no comparison.

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Ali

Oct 06, 2014 08:48pm

totally agreed with @HassanNisar that days are not far when a convey will be stopped by frustrated and waiting common man who has live to run and can not stop it for some VIP to give permission when he/she is done with their affairs Justice & Equality is right of each citizen irrespective of gender, religion & financial status Long Live Pakistan

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Sayyar Khan

Oct 06, 2014 09:22pm

Great job Wake up Pakistan. Get these people kicked out. Sindhi need to wake up also and get rid of these Zardari and Bhutto's etc. That does not mean start voting for MQM.

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rashid siddiqui

Oct 06, 2014 09:26pm

I have seen the PM of UK myself, leaving Downing Street in his car, escorted by a single policeman on motorcycle. Insha Allah a day shall come when these VVIPs shall be strung up by the very people whom they trample cynically every day. Thank you IK for the awakening.

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logic

Oct 06, 2014 09:27pm

Get rid of these dynasties like Gandhi's, Bhuttos, Shafis, Yadav etc Elect representatives who are there to serve the people & this obscenity of VVIP culture will disappear

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Cupid

Oct 06, 2014 09:33pm

I hope that when IK or his party is in power they will not do the same and hold people waiting for long hours so that their VIP motorcade could pass. Lets see.

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sha

Oct 06, 2014 10:13pm

Remember folks in this case it was Zardari visiting Chaudhary's ... These corrupt politician are making public fool in the name of democracy and have been looting public ... Wake up people and hold these people responsible and stand up for your rights and country ... Don't. Let them insult you by blocking your roads for their comfort ...

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Sunny

Oct 06, 2014 10:54pm

@rh There are number of videos on social media showing IK standing in que at the airport. Please watch them before commenting. There are very few examples in Pakistan's history where a leader followed the law. Quaid e azam was the first. Once caretaker prim minister Malik meraj khalid car was stop on signal for a long time because at that time the motorcade of Governor punjab of time was on his way. Malik sb asked why we are stoped here to the constable he replied baba g khamosh rahiye governor sb ka kafla guzarney wala hai. Ameer jamat e islami mr. Sirajul haq once went to attend meeting when he was senior minister and finance minister to lahore by hi-ace and then by rikshaw. No surprize police personel stop him on the gate where the meeting was to be held. But above all imran doesn't only live and followed the law like a common man but also awaken the nation to follow the law and stand against whoever try to break by their vvip power.

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shahidShayad

Oct 06, 2014 11:01pm

I challenge all these revolutionaries to stop a khaki VVIP general and see what happens to them. Everybody is a lion in front of a mouse without guns aka politicians/civil servants.

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salman

Oct 06, 2014 11:11pm

this is all rubbish and exaggerated in pakistan VIP movements and routes are planned across the world, including usa and western europe as well. its nothing new in pakistan. given the threats in the environment, it is understandable. the same person who was shouting at the warden and threatening him/her - will himself use vip protocol service if he is a vip. so relax.

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nasiroski

Oct 06, 2014 11:11pm

Who was the "VIP" why did n't Dawn report his/ger name??

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Parvez

Oct 06, 2014 11:32pm

So who was the VVIP ?

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joe

Oct 06, 2014 11:33pm

why not people throw stone at this VVIP motor cage, I am against but in this situation people probably throw something at this VVIP who block the street for regular hard working citizens while they are in their air-condition cars. by the way who are those VVIP were they Shariffs or belong to Shariffs,

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event horizon

Oct 06, 2014 11:44pm

The concept and culture of VIP is a part of our culture. If all people were considered equal IK would not be made cricket team captain. He looked good, was Oxford educated, and spoke fluent English. Look at the society. Full of sycophants and flattery. It is only very temporary political anger of short sighted Pakistani nation that everybody is so anti VIP. Not so long ago everybody was so strongly pro Iftikhar Chaudhary. Alas, most of causes in new Pakistan are based on someone's jealousy. Is it surprising that we are one of the worst countries to live in?

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Concerned

Oct 06, 2014 11:46pm

Media official who reported this should be able to find out who gave the hukam and who is this VVIP - otherwise this is an incomplete story.

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Moiz Omar

Oct 07, 2014 12:09am

This VIP culture needs to end.

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Salari

Oct 07, 2014 12:37am

Good people - let's keep this pressure on until they get it

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Sil

Oct 07, 2014 12:52am

@shahidShayad I live in Lahore and I haven't seen a khaki "VIP" general block the road. If anything, we see rangers patrolling the city sometimes to protect civilians, for security and establishing law and order. Mashallah, Rangers are trained well, and they behave quite humble with the civilians. They get respect for that.

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Monim, USA

Oct 07, 2014 02:36am

I wish they should not have engaged in conversation with the police, rather the illegal blockade should have been opened and motorists and bikers just started moving but looks like we are not there yet, IA a day will come when no one will be a VIP and 600 policemen will not protect one person but the streets will be made safer for all!

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Lahore

Oct 07, 2014 03:34am

And people pay politicians salary so they are here to serve us and not the the other way around.

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ZeeTee

Oct 07, 2014 03:48am

@Sunny Does IK not use protocol while driving including traffic stoppages as recent as his visit for Karachi Jalsa recently....who authorized him to block Constitution Avenue and D Chowk if I may ask...if free movement of people living in that area also not a right....why are their check points 3kms before banni galla - I hundred percent agree that we need to disown VIP culture but at the same time - let us ensure that it is done across the board with no exceptions

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Lalu

Oct 07, 2014 03:54am

Next time people don't stop. Keep driving.

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Tamza

Oct 07, 2014 04:00am

Many years ago, 2005, I asked a 'taxi driver' in Lahore how things have changed. "People are getting angrier." The previous week the driver had honked at a young man who was a bit slow crossing the street; that man stopped, gave a 'dangerous' stare to the driver, slammed his wrist on the hood, and then VERY slowly continued his walk across the street. THAT kind of anger is now reaching the point of explosion.

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Nutralist

Oct 07, 2014 05:04am

Mr. Reporter, who were these VVIPs? Whilst reporting their side of version (the motorists and the warden), you must have also come to learn all about these UNCULTURED, UNCIVILIZED, I LL MANNERED public servants!

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NaMaloom Fard

Oct 07, 2014 05:29am

This is welcome news! In all honesty there is not a single VIP worth the cost of a bullet.

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Akbar

Oct 07, 2014 05:31am

@salman - We are not here to follow the west blindly. As you said, it happens in US as well, it might be a benchmark for you, but not for many of us. So thank you for your advice. You can follow the US blindly but please dont criticize others who dont want to

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Ghazanfar

Oct 07, 2014 05:42am

Very Important Person (VIP) may be meaningful for a person whose mental and physical faculties are important for the nation. But making it entitlement for every babu, general, judge is really disturbing and wastage of precious time of mobs.

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Modi

Oct 07, 2014 05:43am

@rh You can also go to the VIP Lounges at the airport, if you fulfill the requirements, which are several, eg. traveling in Business/First class, commercially important person, member of the club after paying annual fees etc. etc. So don't complain about VIP Lounges where admission is based on different criteria and has nothing to do with political clout.

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Yusufzai

Oct 07, 2014 05:53am

If we finish this VIP culture ,they won't hide behind police from common people and would work for the people and country to get out on roads without protocol and without any scare from its own people and energies will spent on better traffic rules..

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farid

Oct 07, 2014 07:03am

Long live Imran. This is all because of him.

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AJamal

Oct 07, 2014 07:15am

Why do we, as a nation complain now? We have repeatedly voted in "VVIP Culture". By the way, was that Maryam or Hamza?

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Shahrukh Fatah

Oct 07, 2014 07:25am

Well done! Keep this up! Everyone should blow their horns when they are stopped on the road this way while these VIP's zoom down roads. THINGS MUST CHANGE. WE HAVE TO STOP TOLERATING THIS AND LETTING THESE VIP'S WALK OVER US. Please EVERYONE get your grievances addressed. Don't sit back and let this VIP CULTURE flourish. We have our rights and the people have to make things change. Imran Khan has given us the opportunity to do this so PLEASE don't waste this chance!

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Moby

Oct 07, 2014 08:29am

Until the VVIPs can be named and shamed, this will not change.

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Mohsin

Oct 07, 2014 09:54am

The incident happened yesterday. Can anyone dig down who were the VIPs? Thanks.

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Fahad

Oct 07, 2014 09:58am

Its a good step , the wardens need to get in the law otherwise next time the news will not be so simple , it would be a group of motercyclest whose keys were snatched beat up the warden and recovered their keys and blocked the VIP movement . the VIP has to go back to his hiding place !

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munsif

Oct 07, 2014 10:29am

This also happens on karachi roads, not beause of vip culture but because of sometimes only one vehicle ,either a car or a motorbike, who has to park the vehicle for a while behind parked cars. And even if it is a bike , the people dont want to drag it to somewhere to pave the way for traffic. one day when i stuck between the rush of vehicles around me, and traffic was moving at snail,s pace, ahead , I found the reason why traffic was not moving. One vehicle driver was just in the middle of road behind the parked vehicles, realizing nothing that rush of vehicles behind him , was only because of him. The awareness about such issue need to be created by tv channels, with the help of camera and commentator in the car of traffic police officer , explaining such situations

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H.H.Shah

Oct 07, 2014 10:46am

People should stop paying taxes, the moment they will stop this, all these VVIP culture will die automatically.

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Ali

Oct 07, 2014 11:43am

I dont know who was passing. But some positions in the country does require extra security and the traffic to be stopped while there Baraat pass. and not to forget if there is a life threat to a government servant. Extra security can be provided and special arrangments while driving on normal roads. Unfortunately, this is not just in Pakistan, its every where.

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Yasir

Oct 07, 2014 12:48pm

PMLN's time is over. People are not going to be dealt with like sheep anymore. Congrats on standing up to these people

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PTI Workers United

Oct 07, 2014 01:04pm

It was Qasim Khan. So please dont be angry. He is a real VVVIP from London.

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Oct 07, 2014 02:02pm

VIP movement is a secrurity need, but the police should work out the best procedures to reduce the time one needs to wait. In Gulf countries it is usually a minute or less.

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asif

Oct 07, 2014 02:33pm

As a matter of fact VIPs do not know what spoons under them doing. A good hue

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Sunny

Oct 07, 2014 02:36pm

@ZeeTee we are not blind supporters of any party and law shall be equal for all. If Ik is breaking the law we wull not support him. But these check posts are created by govt. and not ik by himself. Protest is our right by law and we are not breaking any law.

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Jatin

Oct 07, 2014 03:09pm

We Indians also face the traffic problems due to VIP movements... Some common problems are faced by we brothers and sisters of both sides..

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Shafiq khan

Oct 07, 2014 03:11pm

It is time to challenge the mentality of the people. "Hukum kay ghulam" is not enough. There got to be some common sense requirement for such people. If the "Hukum " is unlawful there is no obligation on the subservient to obey that "Hukum". Only employ those who can use common sense. It is time that the people employed must learn that bit. Failing that they must know the name and disignation of the "surkar "that ordered the subservient to inforce that order. Grow up, we must exercise at least the rudiments of the basics of a democracy.

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Agha Ata

Oct 07, 2014 06:33pm

Keep the momentum up in abolishing the VIP culture.

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Fatima

Oct 07, 2014 08:41pm

These PML-N and PPP VIP movement's even restrict ambulances from passes. If you witness Shahbaz Sharif convoy in Lahore these guys even stop ambulances. This is a question of life and death. I will always stand against corrupt parties even if I have to stand alone.

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Fomi

Oct 07, 2014 09:16pm

Wish...motorist would have run in the middle of the road to register his protest to that VVIP instead of to subordinate who can` t do anything...

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Common man

Oct 08, 2014 01:55am

@rashid siddiqui Do ok has courage to leave dharna alone when visiting his palace?

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Akbar

Oct 08, 2014 04:20am

ALLAH k sher jag gaye to tum se bikes ki keys cheen lenge HA HA

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Rashid

Oct 08, 2014 08:27am

VIP culture,not really it is simply shameless ,lawless system.

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omar khan

Oct 08, 2014 09:15am

I also witnessed the spoilt Brats of Sindhi Feudal Lords in the U.S.A acting like they own the working people of U.S. They act arrogantly with store employees when they go to buy something. PAK FAUJ ZINDABAD !!!!

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muzammil ullah khan

Oct 08, 2014 10:11am

Time has come to stop the VVIP and snatch his car keys .

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Saj king khan

Oct 08, 2014 10:15am

Stop this VIP nonsense , so many people suffer due to blockades . Even ambulances are stuck in traffic !! Shift these so called VIPs to remote areas where they can do what they like !!

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Enlightenpakistan

Oct 08, 2014 10:56am

This is precisely what needs to be done to stop the VIP culture. Showers of blessings on those people that stood-up. I, for one, will be doing the same next time I'm caught in a traffic jam due to a political-criminal passing....imagine, we pay taxes to government, government uses it to block traffic so they can pass by to attend a very important sunday eid party!

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Just

Oct 08, 2014 11:10am

kuch nahi hona....

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sanjeev

Oct 08, 2014 11:46am

Blowing horn is a Nice Idea Will try it sometime in India.If this catches on it will be a good way of protesting .

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JackDomm

Oct 08, 2014 06:51pm

Thankyou IK. Change has come!

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