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VVIP protocol in Britain
Margaret Thatcher's VVIP cavalcade consisted only of two cars and a junior police officer gave her security.
ISLAMABAD: I would like to share with readers an unbelievable personal experience on VVIP protocol and security in Britain. Many years ago, I was with the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Exeter, England as I was studying the British police system. One day, my conducting officer regretted that there was some change in the briefing schedule as the officer concerned was with the prime minister in the officers mess. I was surprised at this information because all senior officers were present in their offices and a junior officer was sitting with the prime minister.
The then prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, was travelling through Exeter. After a long journey, she wanted to take a break. Her security officer informed the police headquarters that she would like to have a cup of tea at the police officers mess if it did not inconvenience the mess staff. The chief constable instructed the superintendent of police, special branch to receive the prime minister and escort her to the officers mess for tea. After relaxing for some time in the mess, the prime minister thanked the superintendent for the hospitality and left for London. The prime minister’s cavalcade consisted of only two cars.
About my question why the prime minister was not received by the police chief himself, I was informed that since it was not an official visit, there was no need for the police chief to receive her when he had important official business to take care of. Can this happen in Pakistan?
Asghar Mahmood
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2012.
Reader Comments (5)
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The protocol culture has no basis in Islam or in a modern western socities.
You will find this only in pakistan; where the official-designation becomes part of the name and is displayed outside houses in a proud manner.
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After the IRA bombing of the Tory Party Conference in Brighton, what happened to her security detail then?
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That is because there was no TTP, Haqqani network, Raymond davis, RAW, CIA, Mossad, LET, LEJ, APLMN. JDKAl, FKDL, etc operating in the UK at that time.
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@Asim
not just pakistan most developing countries… India for example…
We have inherited all the cons of Monarchy which are well adjusted in our so called democracy. The granduer of the king, the royals and the knights ! As it is – The Prime Minister, the cabinet, the core commanders. We need to realize the true essence of democracy instead of foolishly following westerners without suiting to our needs and truth of the day.
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@Asim: Don’t want to injure you religious feeling but why must you quote Islam in everything that is relevant to everyone living in Pakistan.. There are thousand of things that are in Islam but hardly followed by anyone including practicing Muslims. My point is that it can no longer encourages anyone to act in certain way or give hope or support to someone. The civilized world you mentioned act ethically not because of their religion but because they have evolved a system, rules and law that they have learned to respect. I agree with you that there is no concept of VIP culture in Islam but then all religious teaching about ethics are similar. Consequently people of all religion must act and respect the rules and laws. Minorities living in Pakistan are not absolved just because they are not Muslims. incidently we had done away with VIP culture in Pakistan long time back but it came back bit by bit . The reason was not because we had become any less Islamic but because inherently we have a culture of sloppiness and disrespect.
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