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'No difference between politicians and us': Fakhr-e-Alam demands better security for artists

'No difference between politicians and us': Fakhr-e-Alam demands better security for artists

In a video, Fakhr-e-Alam calls for politicians to either provide artists with bullet proof cars or give up their own
24 Jun, 2016

Amjad Sabri's demise have left his friends in the artist community speechless and heartbroken, but some have now swung into action. In an open letter to the government, actor/host Fakhr-e-Alam has pointed out its unequal treatments of its citizens.

"The entire artist community is immensely sad and outraged about the martyrdom of Amjad Sabri, and has come to the realisation that there is no one to protect us," Fakhr-e-Alam begins.

He continues, "The problem is, when we raised this question in front of the government, VIPs and higher officials, as to why they receive top-notch security but [artists] don't, the answer we've received is that they are well-known and can be shot anywhere, which is why they have bullet proof cars and police escorts."

In the video, he is joined by fellow artists like Faysal Quraishi, Faakhir, Maria Wasti and Tipu Sharif.

"The burial of Amjad Sabri, attended by thousands, proves that he too was a high profile artist. So, my colleagues who stand with me and many more artists who are not present, we [would like to say that we] are also high profile and there is no difference between you and us."

Fakhr-e-Alam goes on to make this 'symbolic demand':

"Since we're also high profile, we also come on TV and more people know us than you, please provide us with the same bullet proof cars and the same police mobiles that follow you -- with the taxpayers money -- we all demand to be given the same security.

And if that is not possible, then you should return your bullet proof cars and your security personnel to the government, so that we [artists] are at peace that both of us are equally vulnerable on the streets of Karachi."

He closes his statement with an intimation of the artist community's next steps:

"If you fail to do this, then we will multiple our force and we will bring together the media and our fellow artists and take action against it.

So our request to you is, that either we are all provided with equal security or equal vulnerability, because we are all Pakistani citizens and all our lives are equally important."

Comments

Akil Akhtar Jun 24, 2016 11:17am
Everyone demands security for themselves rather than demanding security for all Paksitanis and Pakistan and practically supporting the security agencies....
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S. Khan Jun 24, 2016 11:19am
I don't see a single renowned artist in this video. All are has-beens. The attitude of this outdated artists is nothing but shameful and at par with our pathetic political elite. Both think that they are better than the ordinary citizens and therefore deserve better security. Mr. Fakhr-e-Alam, dozens of ordinary citizens (not celebrities) are killed everyday, why don't you ask for security for everyone? What's stopping you? Why do you want to spend tax-payer's money for your own personal benefit, just like politicians? You don't even live in Pakistan, again, like many politicians, have a successful business and can easily afford private security. Why then, just like politicians, do you want me, an ordinary tax payer who has zero security, to pay for your security?
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Shaukat Ali Khan Jun 24, 2016 11:20am
Facilities at government expense are for the government functionaries. Others need to spend own money and rest of the public is to be treated alike.
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Common Sense Jun 24, 2016 11:20am
You are not more precious then the common man. Demand security for everyone instead of just yourselves.
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sk Jun 24, 2016 11:21am
give security to politicians, actors, players. leave the the general public at muggers, murderers and hooligans mercy. God help this country.
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WahWah Jun 24, 2016 11:22am
-- with the taxpayers money -- !. What about the tax payer and his security ? Security should be to each and every citizen of Pakistan.
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Zafar Jun 24, 2016 11:28am
I think it will not serve any purpose. I have now decided on a personal level to stand and protest for those who suffers. Be it doctors, nurses, teachers, artists, workers or anyone who suffered or suffers.
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art Jun 24, 2016 11:29am
Society should be safe and secure for everyone regardless of his or her status not just artist and VIPs, but then again we are living in a jungle, so it's quite pointless.
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Shampee Jun 24, 2016 11:32am
So Shame for government, Security for Corrupts and insecurity for honest!!!!!
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Vaqar Qureshi Jun 24, 2016 11:44am
Here we go again. Everything is Government's fault. Its become quite trendy in Pakistan to take this absurdly simplistic view. Rather than showing guts and courage to squarely blame the killers , Mr. Alam has played it safe by going after the usual suspects. His vitriol would be much better served if directed in the right direction. If you can't point finger toward the real perpetrators, just focus on your daytime job and leave the political commentary to the experts. When you have nuts running around like the one(s) who murdered Mr. Sabri, no amount of security can protect you. Its a poisonous mindset and cultivation of hatred that ought to be the object of our contempt.
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Bareerah Fatima Jun 24, 2016 11:45am
GOOD ONE.....AT LEAST SOMEONE SPOKE OF EQUALITY
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Fawad ali Fawad Jun 24, 2016 11:45am
Fakhar Alam these VVIP are corrupt and Panama gate are eligible for bullet Cars.
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SMI Jun 24, 2016 11:47am
Common people lives is as precious as any one else then why use common people tax money to provide protections to others. If artists or politicians felt any threat then use your money to hire security. Let this tax money to use for common people welfare not to protect some who may later use such excuses to be treated like VIP. If anyone feel threat use your own security don't demand security from government!
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Javid Jun 24, 2016 11:48am
Absolutely
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Ali Jun 24, 2016 11:59am
Who is he demanding to? he is part of PPP
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Kamran Jun 24, 2016 12:10pm
All Pakistanis are important, not just politicians and artists. The politicians should be taken away their protocols and security> Once they don't have security, only then will they care about making the city safe for everyone.
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Zafar Ahmed Jun 24, 2016 12:10pm
Very strange demand to provide security & bullet proof vehicles to all the artistes as being provided to politicians & etc, here I may remind that State is responsible to provide security to all the citizens and not to the selected elite & privileged classes. One should be logical in making demands and I will standby with Fakhr Alam if he demands security of all the citizens and to withdraw security from all the elite e & privileged classes.
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Dija Jun 24, 2016 12:16pm
I strongly feel that the need of the hour is to concentrate on doable stuff...better quality CCTVs to be installed everywhere, police forces need to be changed and be equipped properly..more police / ranger with proper weapons on the ground...need to collectively raise voice on these issues and give government a deadline to enforce the same....people need to come on the streets to have these enforced and make the present government accountable....otherwise this would just be yet another story.....
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Mansoor Ali Khan Jun 24, 2016 12:28pm
There is a difference b/w an artist and an entertainer, You belong to neither
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Ali Jun 24, 2016 12:30pm
Security for every person living in the country!!
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Umer Jun 24, 2016 12:53pm
Please Mr. Fakhar-e-Alam, you are known because its us (the common people) who make u stars. With your logic...if the common man is not safe then u dont have the right to be safe too....so do the politicians.....we should get over with this VIP culture......neither you nor the politions deserve any protection that is paid by me.
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Hassan Jun 24, 2016 01:02pm
"Since we're also high profile, we also come on TV and more people know us than you, please provide us with the same bullet proof cars and the same police mobiles that follow you -- with the taxpayers money -- we all demand to be given the same security" No Sir, you are not above anyone. No one is above anyone. We are all equal. Protection for all, or protection for none. It is our tax-payer money too.
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Riaz Jun 24, 2016 01:15pm
Dude, the difference is that you are not elected or selected by people. You emerge yourself. Therefore, tax-payers shouldn't be burdened paying for your security. They pay to watch your concerts, and you get paid to perform. Use that funding to fund your security detail, if needed.
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Zoom Jun 24, 2016 01:52pm
Fakr-e-Alam you are incorrect,artists are best class of people politicians not.Please think of common man,who also deserve security against all odds.
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Mehreen Jun 24, 2016 01:56pm
What about all those who are not "High Profile"?? Security and safety for all! We are all human beings, no one is higher then the other, so please get your feet back on the ground!
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Hasrat Jun 24, 2016 02:13pm
Of course there is a difference! People pay to see you guys where politicans have to pay people to come and listen to them. The affection shown at the funeral of an artist is more real and passionate than celebration at hollow victory parades of politicans. But, this does not make you or a politicans more sacred than a common man. Keep in mind, the fallen hero was loved by millions because he remained with common man and died like a noble person.
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timetostopthis Jun 24, 2016 03:09pm
Most people seem to have missed the point he is trying to make. He doesnt really want security for himself. He just wants the security taken away from politicians so they also become insecure like the common man and are forced to do something about the security situation in the country. That way everyone benefits. At the moment politicians dont care about security of the common man as they are safe in their bullet proof cars.
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Loimashar Jun 24, 2016 03:19pm
This represents the VIP culture we are living in. Nothing more than selfishness. The ordinary citizen is a commodity with the price tags of say 100,000/- rupees each.
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Ali Jun 24, 2016 06:04pm
@S. Khan he is just sarcastically asking for protection cos so called politicians get protection but not actual famous people ...
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Talha Khan Jun 24, 2016 08:56pm
Unfortunately the security issue is a much wider problem. It cannot be resolved overnight unless there are significant reforms introduced to improve the policing standards throughout the country. I have no doubt that the police force can improve with better training and remuneration packages. At the same time the Government should work towards a peace process backed up by the people of Pakistan. I do not think having bullet proof cars is the only answer.
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U Jun 24, 2016 08:58pm
Reading the comments below, I think everyone is missing the point here. The point is NOT that the artists want the security for themselves - instead they KNOW that the govt cannot provide that. Hence, the actual demand here is that government should given up the security they feel they are entitled to when time and again they have failed to provide security to the rest.
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Philosopher (from Japan) Jun 25, 2016 12:55am
... And how about poor people or common man. How about their security??? You are a millionaire you can afford private guards but common man can't afford such security.
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Akhtar Jun 25, 2016 05:31am
Pakistan does not need artists; Pakistan need scientists. Just like artists in the rest of the world have their own private security, Pakistsni artists need to do the same buy your own armed cars.
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Muhammad Kamran Arain Jun 25, 2016 07:40am
'No difference between politicians and us', Politicians are blood sucker of the people, so what is he implying?
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Muhammad Kamran Arain Jun 25, 2016 07:45am
@U Then why does he talk only about "Artists", but not about common people, because common people are "Unpeople?
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Umar Khitab Jun 25, 2016 12:54pm
Aam party ..any one? No one is bothered about the commoners...
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SHAK Jun 25, 2016 11:52pm
great arguments, however our politicians are in control of our funds they do what they like they dont care what artists say
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Abuzar Jun 26, 2016 03:01pm
Chalo atleast koi to sincere hai..!!
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