Pakistan Elections 2008: Free and Fair, Pakistani Style

Posted on December 14, 2007
Filed Under >Adil Najam, Photo of the Day, Politics, Society
266 Comments
Total Views: 54067

Adil Najam

Many of you would already have seen this photograph.

It shows a policeman (of the Punjab Police, I believe) helping hang billboards showing the election symbol of ‘bicycle.’ The bicycle, by the way, is the electoral symbol of the ruling party PML(Q), whose supposed Prime Ministerial candidate Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi is the Chief Minister of Punjab and, therefore, the direct boss of this poor cop.

By the way, from the look of it this official van is holding lots of other billboards; most likely with the same symbol. For the uninitiated we should note that the Blue Toyota Hilux vans are the vehicle of choice for the Punjab Police. Also note the word (in Urdu) ‘Police’ at the back of the van and the green number plate. Both signifying that this is an official government vehicle. The policeman, of course, is also in official uniform – duly armed – and ‘assisting’ in what is clearly political campaigning.


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My first thought had been to ask people to suggest a funny title for this… maybe something like “Police ka hai farz madad aap ki!” (It’s the Police’s duty to help you) which used to be the slogan of the police service. However, there is very little about this picture that is funny. And their is plenty that is truly disturbing.

266 responses to “Pakistan Elections 2008: Free and Fair, Pakistani Style”

  1. Watan Aziz says:

    Leave this poor guy alone.

    One of his finest brethren slapped around the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Another man handled his wife.

    All the while, their direct superiors were within yards.

    It was not too long ago, Chaudhary Zahoor-elahi, the patriarch of family was complaining of the same. He used to run from pillar to post, seeking justice.

    How easily power intoxicates people that they do exactly what they detest.

    But all of that comes from the innate ability to respect the law. Those who support the breaking of law, will wonder why the law does not support them.

    The wheel does turn.

  2. Hassan says:

    Now that we all almost know who all are contesting the elections, would it make least of any difference to the future of Pakistan whether or not the polls are rigged.
    Same old thugs coming again!

  3. Shahid Saeed says:

    I wouldn’t be surprised !

  4. Daktar says:

    Nayab, is this willful disinformation or just a mistake on your part. The bicycle IS the election sign of the ruling PML(Q) and NOT of the PML(N)… so, NO police seems to be doing the dirty work for the PML(Q)

  5. Nayab Khan says:

    Looks like police is with PML-N and not with the ruling party after all ;)

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