RECENTLY, I went for a walk after sunset, and was stopped by the Rawalpindi police in a disrespectful manner. I was instructed to clear the pavement and take refuge at a nearby petrol pump till some VIP cavalcade passed by the spot.

Once that agony was over, the police officials told me to run away immediately because some more VIP vehicles were supposed to reach the spot a few minutes later. This was not the first time something like this happened; it happens frequently in Rawalpindi.

No matter whether you are with family, alone, or in an emergency, you must wait for 15-20 minutes, and sometimes even longer every time there is some VIP movement. What is more unfortunate is the manner in which the police and other security forces stop people on the streets. Their harsh treatment makes people feel unnecessary and unwanted in this country.

Is this really the treatment that senior citizens and educated persons deserve? It is understandable that there are security protocols to be maintained, but the question remains: at what cost?

Most of the time, police officials use abusive language against people, ordering them to move because they want the road to be clear for the VIPs. There are numerous cases of misconduct by the police, such as the recent incident in Multan in February, where viral footage showed an SHO reprimanding an elderly man who had unintentionally violated a VIP protocol. Such treatment must be stopped. There is a need for the re-socialisation of police, ensuring that all people are treated respectfully.

Let us demand respect, dignity and a fair treatment for all Pakistani citizens, regardless of social status or background. Only by making such a demand can we truly call ourselves a civilised nation.

Zuhaib Hussain
Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2025