Premier minister bans VIP protocol at airports
No more first class travel as Imran Khan orders simple lifestyle for government officials
Pakistani government officials will no more enjoy luxury trips or VIP protocol at airports and will have to travel like ordinary citizens, as part of the austerity drive announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
After imposing a ban on first class air travel by the President, Chief Justice, Senate Chairman and the National Assembly speaker, the new government has now banned VIP protocol offered to important people by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at the airports.
“We have decided to strictly implement the decision to provide equal opportunities to all travellers without any discrimination,” Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry proclaimed. “We have seen that influential people used to seek assistance of FIA officials at airports who accompanied them to swiftly clear their luggage,” to avoid long queues, the minister said. The VIP protocol was usually enjoyed by politicians, legislators, bureaucrats, judges, military officials and sometimes journalists.
Starting from Sunday, the immigration counters at all airports across Pakistan would be monitored and if any VIP was seen enjoying special treatment, the immigration staff and official in charge would be immediately suspended, the interior ministry warned in a letter sent to FIA. Khan himself has retained the interior ministry portfolio as he intends to personally oversee the measures against corruption and money laundering.
The move against VIP culture comes days after the Khan administration banned the discretionary use of state funds, firstclass air travel and extravagant dining by officials and leaders.