I WAS recently in North Karachi where I happened to see how the ruling elite behave like kings, while we, the citizens, are nothing more than lesser mortals. I saw a legislator passing through with all the pomp and glory in the shape of security protocol and entourage.

Initially, I could not understand what was going on. The police vehicle was being driven recklessly, and the two policemen sitting inside were harassing the commuters around while ridiculously trying to make way for the lawmaker’s vehicle which was being escorted by police. This could have resulted in a serious accident. But, then, who cares?

When the Constitution says everyone has equal rights, including the right to protection, what justification is there for the lawmakers to have such a protocol? This surely gives the VIPs their feel-good high, but their high is at the cost of the low that the common man feels and has to live with.

Just a couple of security guards might be justified, but a whole cavalcade trying to move uninterrupted in crowded city areas under police protection is not justified in the name of security concerns.

If the police force is properly utilised for the citizens of the city, the law and order situation will definitely improve and there will be even lesser necessity of having security escorts. Maybe that is not what the legislators want to happen, for it will end their justification of having their feel-good high in the name of security.

I wonder when, if at all, we will get rid of this colonial mindset, and think of the security and welfare of the common man.

Hajra Rauf
Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2022