VIP's in Lahore

For people who are not used to VIP culture, Lahore/Pakistan is on a whole new level. Sycophancy is an art here. Over the weekend, 2 VVIP's were in town, and o boy. One of the VVIPs lives near my house when he is in town. And when he is in town, we know cos there are at least 100 cops outside his house. Human shields?

The route which said VVIP takes to whatever VVI appointment he has to go to is lined up ALL THE WAY every 100 m with a cop on both sides of the road. And the cops are accompanied by another security guard. And said route then has all the roads leading to it closed off, causing massive jams, widespread cursing by the public, and general waste of resources. O yes, there are wailing sirens and at least 15 vehicles all filled with sychophants and hapless, but serious looking cops hooning around in this VVI convoy accompanying the VVIP.

Anyway there were 2 of these VVIPS in lahore during the weekend and one of my Pak friends declared that Lahore would be at the mercy of dacoits as there were no more cops available do the actual cop work. Another wag commented that Lahore was already at the mercy of these dacoits anyway, and he wasn't refering to the armed criminal type.

Anyway real story also, one VIP was on a plane out of Lahore when his hanger ons found out to their extreme horror that their boss was seated behind a senior govt servant. Mayhem ensued and they thronged the airline guy BEGGING him to change the seat otherwise they would all be sacked, or worse. Tears were shed, mothers' graves were called upon but situation was resolved to the reief of said toadies.