Unchecked 'dala culture' breeds armed escort boom
The growing trend of armed escorts on pickup trucks, popularly known as the 'dala culture', has become a visible symbol of power and prestige in Pakistan, raising alarm among policymakers and law enforcement authorities.
Experts and officials warn that the unchecked expansion of private security companies, coupled with weak regulation, has turned personal security into both a fashion statement and a source of public intimidation.
In recent years, political leaders, businessmen, and even returning expatriates have increasingly hired armed guards riding on open pickup trucks, citing rising incidents of street crime, theft, and weak police patrolling. However, critics say the trend has morphed into a public display of power and fear.
According to documents obtained by The Express Tribune, Punjab — Pakistan's largest province — has witnessed a sharp surge in private security companies.
Over 200 new licences have been issued in recent years, while the authorities have also cancelled more than 90 licences and issued show-cause notices to over 200 firms for various violations, including unlicensed armed patrols and unauthorized rentals of security guards and vehicles.
Forty companies have been fined Rs200,000 each for regulatory breaches.
Punjab Home Department Special Secretary Fazalur Rehman said a dedicated monitoring cell has been established to curb illegal security practices, including the renting of armed guards and vehicles for personal escorts.
"Complaints of weapon display and 'dala culture' are being acted upon. Inspections are conducted monthly, quarterly, and annually to ensure compliance," he stated, adding that four training institutions have been contracted to train security guards professionally.
Despite these measures, the industry continues to thrive. Punjab currently hosts around 400 private security companies, 55 of which are under official observation.
Several firms provide guards for hours, days, or even months, often for weddings, political rallies, and VIP escorts.
In many cases, these guards display weapons openly, despite clear legal restrictions.
A private guard, Sarfaraz Ahmed, revealed that while the government's notified salary for guards is Rs40,000 per month, many earn around Rs20,000-22,000, with their companies deducting commissions.
"If we report exploitation, we are fired," he said, adding that guards deployed on 'dala' duty earn extra hourly pay and tips.
Public policy expert and Punjab University professor Salman Abid blamed the phenomenon on a deep-rooted culture of power display.
"Our society glorifies strength. The armed guards in Dalas aren't about protection... they're about spreading fear," he said. "Even licensed weapons should be phased out. The state must disarm civilians, because weapon display breeds terror and encourages violent behaviour."
Returning expatriate Chaudhry Waseem, now living in Lahore, said hiring private guards has become a necessity, not a choice.
"If the government can't provide security, we're forced to pay for it ourselves. We wouldn't need guards if the police did their job," he remarked.
Former Punjab IGP Khadim Hussain Bhatti agreed that only those facing verified political or religious threats may keep armed guards with prior police and Home Department clearance. "Displaying weapons publicly is illegal," he said, adding that guards can be hired for homes, offices, or housing societies but cannot legally perform armed mobile patrols without authorisation.
Meanwhile, the trend has extended into the private sector. Transport company owner Sajjad Khan disclosed that some wedding car rental services now offer armed escorts as part of luxury "protocol packages."
Political organisers also hire guards for rallies and processions, often unarmed but serving as crowd managers.
Officials insist the government is committed to dismantling the 'dala culture', but experts argue that real change will require stronger legislation and consistent enforcement to end the commercialization of intimidation.
As Abid put it, "The rise of armed escorts isn't about safety... it's a reflection of fear, inequality, and the failure of the state to make citizens feel secure."