Pakistan bans VIP protocol at airports

Islamabad: Pakistani government officials will no more enjoy luxury trips or VIP protocol at the airports and will have to travel like ordinary citizens, as part of the austerity drive announced by new 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, first-class air travel and extravagant dining by officials and leaders, including the president and the prime minister. The new Pakistani premier has ordered his cabinet to observe a simple lifestyle to save the taxpayers’ money in an attempt to slash government spending and reduce gigantic debt.

Just over a week into his tenure, Khan is already leading by austere example. He relinquished the lavish lodgings enjoyed by Pakistan’s prime ministers and instead moved to a three-bedroom house, with only two servants rather than hundreds.

In Pakistan, government officials are famous for their lavish lifestyle such as using official cars for personal activities, excessive foreign visits and grandiose feasts. Khan’s austerity drive and strict steps against VIP culture has been warmly welcomed by the general public especially Khan’s supporters. “It is time to end Pakistan’s pompous VIP culture. Imran Khan has said no to luxury vehicles and grand dinners and asked politicians to take economy class flights. I’m really happy. I think that’s a good start”, Anam Hameed, a University lecturer in Islamabad told Gulf News.