AT 7.30am on Aug 14 when I was taking my children for Independence Day celebrations in their school, traffic was suddenly stopped by security personnel at Allah Wali Chorangi at Shahrah-i-Quaideen to facilitate some VIP movement.

Because it was a public holiday, most vehicles on the road were only those which were carrying children to their schools for the day’s special celebrations.

All the vehicles were stopped without realising children’s presence in their schools in time was equally or even more important. Regretfully, no such thoughts prevail in our society

As the traffic blockade prolonged, I disembarked from my car and raising my protest requested the policemen to let the vehicles with school children pass so that the children could attend programmes, especially the national anthem in time.

The policemen simply snubbed me. A police officer on motorbike approached shouting at his men to impound my vehicle along with my children. Luckily, a soldier of naval police who was also there on duty realised the situation, interfered and let my car go.

Others who remained silent spectators were stranded. We then were able to reach school in time, but incident made our mood and day bad with the feelings that no one cares for the right things in this society. People are not willing or even think for asserting themselves for right reasons.

Let us hope things are going to change in Naya Pakistan.

A.K

Karachi

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2018