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Secure the politicians of Pakistan

Secure the politicians of Pakistan

Syed Ali June 25, 2010

Why is it such a dire concern if a politician is granted VIP protocol and police security? Shouldn't this be their earned right? We are quick to criticise and unleash our fury on to them without understanding for a second the security threats they, and their families, face when managing the affairs of the state.

Most of our leaders are under severe security threat and face people who dislike them, or would rather see them dead.

The word ‘politicians’ has become synonymous with being corrupt. Agreed, most of them may be and the history of this country stands witness to this fact. Yet, we must realise that they possess the courage and the will to be exposed to all sorts of dangers including difference of opinion from various quarters of the ruthless public. Knowing the kind of attitude opposition elicits and the 'slightly' extremist nature of the people of Pakistan, if our politicians were to roam around without security, believe me, we will not be left with any and there would be no more coming ahead to take the responsibility.

Certainly, for the maintenance of democracy it is the duty of every citizen of this country to protect the politicians. Many do end up getting assassinated on high streets, in congregations, their own homes or at places of work. As we have never arrested the killer of any of our political leaders starting from PM Liaquat Ali Khan to Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto, we should be the last ones to criticise VIP protocol.

Everybody needs security, but ordinary citizens have a very low probability of being the target of an attack. However, for high profile people, the case is different.

If we feel they deserve to be exposed to danger because they are corrupt, then we must open our mind and take an objective look at our bureaucracy. Only then will we will realise who teaches and maintains corruption at all levels. This is what our politicians fall prey to and get entangled in.

While there are politicians who are not in the ruling government and travel without official security (but with personal guards only) they too must be secured at all costs because they are also working for the people of Pakistan.

Pakistan has come to this stage, because we only criticise and discuss the obvious. Rarely does anyone notice the main culprits behind the nation's disasters.

WRITTEN BY:
Syed Ali A businessman who writes on politics and civic issues. He completed his masters in business administration from Boston University. He tweets @abidifactor.

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

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COMMENTS (10)

Saman Jafri | 14 years ago | Reply a good writeup,its always good to see the other side of the coin too,but as majority of ur polticians are corrupt and scoundrels themselves,its hard to feel any pity for them,but yes the ones who are in here beacuse of real patrotism and sense of ervice for Pakistan,we would not want them and tehir families to suffer..

Atts | 14 years ago | Reply I totally disagree based on the following grounds: Firstly its generally the common man which suffers from target killing, terrorism etc. If we were so lucky that the terrorist would actually target the VIPs!!. Secondly, the VIP are receiving protocol & police security at the COST OF THE COMMON MAN, which is being criticized..... by cost i just dont mean monetary but the security personnel on duty for the common man is also diverted to the VIP. On the one hand we say that Pakistan is a poor nation & on the other hand we spend millions on unnecessary security arrangements which are costly in terms of money, time & convenience. We do not feel the politicians deserve to be exposed to danger as they are corrupt, however, we feel their security should not be at the cost of our time, money & convenience. I would request the writer to look at this issue from another perspective.

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S.A.R.A | 14 years ago | Reply Sakib: Interesting to note that you are so pleased to know that my initials are S.A.R.A obviously? Thank you. So you mean to say is that it is only in Pakistan that party workers or common person gets killed by the terrorists or "paid" killers. I do not disagree with your claim that its everyone who needs security, but please tell me the practicality of making it possible. If Mr. Sakib was to run for a public office and lets say actually makes it there, because he is honest and wants to serve the people of his country, would Mr. Sakib like to roam around with security while holding a high profile portfolio? Additionally, if Mr. Sakib's immediate relative such has either of the parent or his children were to decide to serve the nation, would he want his loved ones to be out and about without guard?

S.A.R.A | 14 years ago | Reply For each politician in power there is a force of at least 10 officers protecting him. Therefore, going with the theory of anti-politicians here, we need a lot of police to protect your 200 million population. What I cannot understand is why are the politicians hated so much because they get escort and guards from the State. Does it got anything to do with our complexes and envy?

Sakib Ahmad | 14 years ago | Reply So S.A.R.A is actually Syed Ali Raza Abidi! Thanks for lifting the veil! Is this an example of 'yellow journalism', I wonder?! It does not appear to have struck the author that our politicians are in politics because they have carefully weighed the risks and the rewards. Their primary aim is personal enrichment and they think the risks to their security are manageable. Just take a look at the security that a scoundrel like Rehman Malik gets, to say nothing of the over the top security accorded to Zardari. Mr Abidi is either ignorant or he knows too much and is simply being dishonest when he refers to assassinated politicians such as Liaquat Ali Khan and Benazir Bhutto. They were all, without exception, murdered as a result of either antagonising Pakistan's Foreign King Maker or, in the case of Z A Bhutto and his son Murtaza, as a result of internal power struggle. The fact is VERY FEW high profile politicians are assassinated by the so-called terrorists. It is the ordinary people, and the hapless party workers, who die in their thousands at the hands of terrorists, among whom you can count a lot of top politicians who hatch evil schemes to sacrifice innocent lives in pursuit of their crazy lust for power.

Imad | 14 years ago | Reply Agreed Mr. Abidi but how many polictians actually killed in those attacks you are talking about, u can count on ur fingers, and the number of that common man as per your understanding "a very low probability of being the target of an attack" killed.

Mubashir Zaidi | 14 years ago | Reply I think security of leaders is not an issue because any one will be targeted or attacked will definitely give very bad impact of the country....BUT this is not a solution....Offense is the best defense so now it is the time to take major action against terrorists and remove their hideouts in big cities too....it is the time to commence combined ... See Moreoperation of police, rangers and armed forces in whole country by searching each and every house.....they should gather intelligence about all criminals of the area especially banned organizations and take stern action against all organizations without any interference or pressure.....if there is problem in constitution they should constitute a law for extremism and terrorism as it was before....there should be no acquittal from the court also. Anti terror courts to be strengthened with life safety of the judges too so that they may not take any pressure. The name of judge should not be disclosed to prisoner and there should be safety for judges and their families....there should be rewards for police and armed forces i.e Rs. 100,000/ for killing and capturing any known terrorist etc. Without any motivation through rewards and promotions you can not get results in any field..

Al | 14 years ago | Reply "Yet, we must realise that they possess the courage and the will to be exposed to all sorts of dangers including difference of opinion from various quarters of the ruthless public....." YOU MUST BE KIDDING! Right? Actually more than the politicians, the political workers of all the parties are killed in targeted killings. We see that every day. So in keeping with your logic all of the political workers of all political parties should also be provided with a police mobile to ensure their security.

Noman Shaikh | 14 years ago | Reply I don't understand the point of this blog post?

Anwer Kamal Pasha | 14 years ago | Reply Why only politicians? Others are doing more and even killing politicians.

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