THE Engineering University of Larkana students were invited by K-Electric on April 18 to visit its plant at Bin Qasim Station-II for an academic purpose. Some 48 students, along with three officials (teachers), travelled on the bus to visit the post.

After the visit was over, they had fun at different spots in Karachi and then returned the same day. As they crossed the Hyderabad-Jamshoro toll plaza ,they were stopped by Rangers at the checkpost. It took the driver some time to bring the bus to a halt. This led to the interrogation of the driver in such a way as if he was a terrorist.

Later, a teacher got down and introduced himself to the Ranger’s constable, who asked him whether he was a bus cleaner.

The official was taken aback on hearing such a comment and responded respectfully that he was a teacher who was in charge of the students.

The attitude of the paramilitary official towards the civilian, in this case an educated person, was rather strange.

Khalil Jibran Abbasi

Larkana

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2017