So not many people will talk about it but I am going to say it anyway - I just got beaten by over 20 people on a main road in Islamabad. And for this beating I need to thanks the fledgling democracy in my country. Also my gratitude goes towards the large political dynasties in Pakistan who have built a mentality of fiefdoms and with that have elevated their stooges to the level of Knights, Lords and Earls.
What happened was that on my way to home in Islamabad, a truck took a turn and suddenly veered into my lane. In order to save myself, I had to slow down significantly but to show my annoyance I made the “mistake” of honking horn. Apparently this annoyed my Knights and Lords in the Vigo truck and they decided to square me into a corner on the right hand hard shoulder.
Even before I opened the door, I knew what is coming up since suddenly over 20 people were standing around me and their lead (the driver) angrily asked me how “did I dare do that?”. I perhaps equally angrily replied but am pretty much sure that I wouldn’t have completed my sentence when his hands started to traverse towards me in the air. He hit me first and as soon as he could do something else I was holding him. But yes, before I could hit him back it was raining kicks and punches on me. Thanks to intervention of a passing by old man who stopped over and tried to defuse or rather halt what would have otherwise entered the brutal part of beating.
Once it was all defused, I went on to that lead and just asked him to just tell me before he goes who he is or who he works for and I will take these things from there onwards. To which I could clearly see his face’s colour change with worry of what will I do next? Or worse what I can do next?
Later I called the emergency police line on 15, and gave them the details I had (I unfortunately couldn’t note the number plate beyond the registration region of Karachi, Sindh). I even asked the police dispatcher if they can do something about it or should I deal it with myself? To which he said, don’t worry sir we are on to it.
Few minutes later when I reached the next police check post and asked them on what happened - they told me they did nothing. I asked them why not? And was told that they didn’t get any wireless notification but yes they could confirm me that they were of Zardari house, yes our esteemed President. So yes that is one place where I cannot do much myself. Had it been some Member Parliament, Member National Assembly or any other Landlord-sort-of-person I could have done something but not against Mr President.
These are the wonders of democracy in my country, and in a way I am glad that I have got another valuable experience just hours before I was due to fly back to Glasgow.
Apart from my ideological problems with all the political dynasties in Pakistan, this mindset of all-capable-gangster is a plague in Pakistan. Every person here facing the grinding social pressure whenever gets the opportunity him/her self becomes an oppressor.
This post will not change anything; that much I know, but at least now you know.
Will be leaving for Glasgow in few hours.
p.s. only sad part is that I was supposed to write about something more important today.
