A hazardous protocol

Security measures in place for Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s recent visit to the Civil Hospital in Karachi hindered the father of a critically-ill 10-month-old girl to enter the premises in time to save his daughter. The father was left mourning his daughter’s death in tears while ordinary citizens fume in anger over what they see as the increasing nuisance created by security measures for VIPs. The insensitive statement by Nisar Khuhro after the infant’s death didn’t help matters either and deserve censure. Security measures for VIPs have been a usual feature in this country for years. While in this case, apportioning direct blame for the death of the infant on the PPP co-chairperson may be unfair, the incident does remind us that VIP protocols and security measures have in the past led to serious consequences for ordinary citizens. One well remembers how the security guards of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s son opened fire at a motorcyclist when he tried to cross Abdul Qadir Gilani’s motorcade.

There is no denying that ensuring security for politicians and other important persons is a necessity. The country only recently lost the services of Punjab Home Minister Shuja Khanzada due to lax security, and the argument that security protocols should be done away with in their entirety is not a valid one. Having said that, these measures and protocols cannot come at the cost of human life. VIP movements and security protocols often inconvenience the public and there is no denying that the entire system needs to be re-evaluated and changes made to it. Emergency vehicles must never be blocked or hindered during VIP movements.

With an enquiry being ordered into the incident, it is hoped that it will help in highlighting the faults in the system that is used for VIP movements. As mentioned earlier, VIP protocols are necessary, but they cannot come at the cost of human lives — and at the cost of common sense where a patient is prevented or delayed in receiving immediate medical attention as was the case this time.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2015.

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