Citizens’ patience has allegedly reached its limit due to strict VIP security protocols, Pasban Democratic Party Chairman Altaf Shakoor indicated in a statement today, pointing to potential widespread unrest. Altaf Shakoor termed the recent public security violations during VIP movement at Bilawal Chowrangi a clear sign of the increasing level of public frustration.
Shakoor said that those responsible for public safety have transformed security into a tool for public humiliation and harassment. He urged Sindh authorities to take public animosity seriously, which he believes has reached dangerous levels, stating that such “foolish actions” can lead to revolutions. The PDP Chairman also termed VIP protocols a sign of colonial rule over a subjugated populace.
He said that Karachi’s citizens suffer severe anguish due to frequent road closures and extraordinary traffic restrictions during the movement of ministers, high officials, and political figures. This results in mental stress, waste of time, and economic losses. The city’s main thoroughfares are often closed for hours, paralyzing the entire traffic system.
These closures severely affect office-going employees, students, patients, the elderly, traders, and daily wage earners, who face severe distress. In particular, many patients cannot reach hospitals on time, and ambulances often get stuck in traffic jams.
In response, Altaf Shakoor requested limiting complete road closures to a few minutes. He advocated for informing the public in advance about VIP movements through media and digital platforms. Furthermore, he urged the use of alternative routes for convoys and the establishment of effective communication channels between traffic police and city administration.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring the uninterrupted movement of ambulances, school vans, and emergency services at all times. Shakoor suggested adopting modern traffic management systems to balance essential security arrangements with minimal public inconvenience. Acknowledging citizens’ respect for state institutions and security needs, he appealed to the rulers to understand the daily challenges faced by ordinary people.
The statement issued through Pasban Press Information Cell also highlighted that Karachi is already facing transport issues, a growing population, and inadequate infrastructure. In this challenging context, road closures on the pretext of protocols are “tantamount to rubbing salt into the wounds of the public.” Shakoor pointed out that many countries successfully ensure the security of dignitaries without affecting public life, emphasizing the need for similar modern traffic management systems in Pakistan to strike a balance between security and public convenience.