Jamshed Dasti. PHOTO: FILE
A seat in the National Assembly should bring with it responsibility and a readiness to set an example. Instead, it too often does just the opposite. This has proved true even in the case of MNA Jamshed Dasti, who, during his election campaign and before, consistently projected himself as a ‘man of the people’, picking up a huge amount of support as an ordinary man rather than a powerful politician like his opponents. With this slogan, he entered the NA as an independent candidate and retaining this status voted for Mian Nawaz Sharif in the prime ministerial poll.
However, it seems Dasti is not yet ready to embrace his status as an ‘ordinary’ citizen when it comes to routine matters. According to a report in this newspaper, this weekend he evaded the Motorway Police three times along the motorway, as his driver sped away apparently on the MNA’s instructions to avoid receiving a speeding ticket for breaking the speed limit. When Dasti’s vehicle was
finally stopped at the Swabi Interchange, he argued fiercely against the Rs700 ticket, threatening the police officers with dire consequences if they did not respect what he called his privilege as a parliamentarian and his dignity.
The incident is a deeply saddening one. It indicates the mindset of our politicians, even those who claim to belong to the ranks of the poor, and illustrates how power can corrupt. We must hope that parliament shows an ability to back right rather than wrong when Dasti moves the matter for the privilege committee of the lower house as he is almost bound to do. The police officers concerned must not in any way be punished for performing their duties so diligently; indeed, Dasti ought to explain to us why he attempted to try and escape the law. We badly need to establish the rule of law for all citizens if we are to get away from our present state of disorder and this is something we must make every effort to do with the help of lawmakers and others with influence.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (16)
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There is a thing called cross-checking and providing other party a chance to defend itself, has anybody asked dasti's point of view before writing blogs and editorials( ET i m talking to u) ? another point , how can Police share the details of a traffic voilation with media , whereas they are not allowed according to the rules of service ? this genuinely seems to be a smear campaign against a man of people , who has taken some of the biggest fuedals , who sucked people's blood to cleaners..... Has Dasti ever done anything near to what our KHARS used to do with their serfs as explained by Tehmina Durrani in my fuedal lord ! i m nt saying what he did he right bt nobody is giving him a chance to defend himself...
It’s so pathetic – I never thought he is so arrogant, ill-mannered and weird guy. He always poses to be down to earth, law abiding citizen of the country and belongs to a poor family. Parliamentarian does not mean to encroach upon the privileges provided to them. Yes, power always corrupts the people especially with such sort of attitude, caliber and education. Kudos - to the police officer for the bravery and acting out a splendid duty on the roads halting such rude and bad-mannered guys from burning the rubber on the highways. In realism well-bred, courteous and devoted traffic police officer also did humanitarian and goodhearted task by saving Dusti,s life – who was dying out dud to speedy and hazardous driving. Keep up great things officer – no one is above the law and no one will be allowed to dodge the law of the land. Shaukat Naeem Ghumman Riyadh – Saudi Arabia
It’s so pathetic – I never thought he is so arrogant, ill attuned and weird guy. He always poses to be down to earth, law abiding citizen of the country and belongs to a poor family. Parliamentarian does not mean to encroach upon the privileges providing them. Yes, power always perverts the people with especially with such sort of stature, caliber and education. Kudos to the police offer for the audacity and acting out a magnificent duty on the roads halting such rude and bad-mannered guys from burning the rubber on the highways. In realism well-bred, courteous and devoted traffic police officer also dis philanthropic and goodhearted task by saving Dusti,s life – which was dying out due to speedy, treacherous and dicey driving. Keep up great things officer – no one above the law and will not be legalized to evade the law of the land. Shaukat Naeem Ghumman Riyadh – Saudi Arabia
It’s so pathetic – I never thought he is so arrogant, ill attuned and weird guy. He always poses to be down to earth, law abiding citizen of the country and belongs to a poor family. Parliamentarian does not mean to encroach upon the privileges providing them. Yes, power always perverts the people with especially with such sort of stature, caliber and education. Kudos to the police offer for the audacity and acting out a magnificent duty on the roads halting such rude and bad-mannered guys from burning the rubber on the highways. In realism well-bred, courteous and devoted traffic police officer also dis philanthropic and goodhearted task by saving Dusti,s life – which was dying out due to speedy, treacherous and dicey driving. Keep up great things officer – no one above the law
Maybe he has amnesia or something and didn't remember who he was, so he asked the police if they had any idea... If somebody as elite as Jason Bourne can get amnesia, the why not a "man of the people" like Jason Dasti
"they did not respect what he called his privilege as a parliamentarian and his dignity"
What privilege - to break traffic laws ? And dignity ? Don't make me laugh. He should have been given the liter parade on the motorway.
Law makers are law breakers in Pakistan. The House should take its own notice and reprimand Mr.Dasti for bringing disgrace to the House.
Our Parking Fines are too low, mainly symbolic. They should be multiplied by x 10 at least. I was fine Rs. 500 for violating a traffic light and could not believe, that same offence in Australia can cause a fine of $375. . Traffic fines bring revenue to the department and deter infringements in the future. They must be increased.
When a chase starts and the vehicle chased by police does not stop and instead speeds up, all occupants of vehicle (if they are not hostages) instantly become criminals. Dasti committed a serious crime, but Police instead of arresting him and his bodyguards dealt it as normal traffic violation.
@Sabahat: So right. He along with his driver should have been taken into custody and charged for dangerous driving placing lives of others on the Motorway in danger. Alternatively, he could have been taken behind the walls of the Interchange and asked to show his credentials of who he is??? My fellow patrons would have shown him the right path.
Not surprised at all !!!!!!
Power of politics corrupt many minds and he is no exception.
Since a YouTube video of the event would be embarrassing, or a video of the MNA whining about the affront to his "esteemed status (above the law?) in the Assembly, there is no wonder that we see the real reason WHY YouTube remains blocked in Pakistan!
Now it is a test of our PM to take this MNA to task for evading law of the land. Privilege committee should take action against the MNA for such a shameless action. Moreover CJ should take sou moto notice if any action is taken against law enforcing dutiful motor way police officer. Lets see as to whether law will prevail of lawless will prevail.
with the perks he's getting, he should be fined 70k. any by the way George Orwell rightly said "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others".
"Don't you know me" is the common expression by the elite of Pakistan. This precisely mean, I have the right to break the law and do whatever. Our CJ is also no exception. Now this "awami" MNA will go to Mecca, sit Aitkaf, perform umarrah, and then will return with God given right to insult, misbehave, an humiliate the common state functionaries, and make millions by hook or crook, get a plot in Islamabad, Lahore at dirt cheap price, and will go to perform Hajj afterwards (on public exchequer) on his last leg. This is the Pakistani version of public service.
DUMBO FROM THE BELLY OF DEMOCRACY!!!!!!!!!!!