ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday became the first Pakistani premier to sit inside a military vehicle by their own choice.
He achieved this feat when entered a military chopper as he piloted a Turkish T-129 attack helicopter on a test flight.
Abbasi, an enthusiast for both aviation and civilian supremacy, took the helicopter for a ride envisioning unprecedented symbolism amidst recent civil-military turmoil.
The Pakistani premier, 58, was in the Turkish capital Istanbul for the ninth summit of D-8 nations, but his mind was in Aabpara, Rawalpindi.
“He though the tables have turned,” a voice inside PM Abbasi’s head told The Dependent. “He knew how historic his achievement was for not only did he choose to sit inside the military chopper, he was also on the driving seat.”
The prime minister inspected the helicopter, and was briefed by military officials about the specifications and technical parameters of the combat chopper.
PM Abbasi later termed the chopper as an “impressive and good machine” adding that its most impressive features were “regard for democracy, vows for civilian supremacy, and agreements to be steered by a civilian, elected prime minister.”