LETTER TO EDITOR
Date : Sep 24, 1997ARMED GUARDS : FUTILE DEATHS
A hopeless and desperate attempt to feel protected and safe is to have an armed guard travelling in the same vehicle. An ego-boosting extravaganza is to have a
guard, outfitted in a uniform and with an AK-47, in the front seat of a tycoon’s Mercedes or BMW. A display of official power and pomp is to have a gun-totting and menacing looking person in the back seat of the Landcruiser or Suzuki van. All these give one a false sense of security, and at the same time exposes them to those from whom they wish to feel protected.The sad part is that when there is an ambush, the first and obvious casualty is the armored guard who has to be eliminated so that the main target is sent to the hereafter. Take the example of Shahid Hamid of KESC or even bureaucrat Alam Baloch. Take Inspector Bahadur Ali or the father of Fatima and Zulfiquar Jr. Although they were the prime targets, their guards too lost their lives and their memories relegated to oblivion.
It is proposed that the archaic and colonial practice of being escorted by armored guards be discontinued as these guards are, in actuality, very helpless. They obviously are in no position to protect their charges and they surely cannot protect themselves from even bumbling assassins.
Sincerely:
MIKE BAXTER