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