ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday while commenting on his undergoing security checks at a United States (US) airport said that ‘abiding by the laws of a foreign country only adds to one’s dignity and there is no embarrassment in this’.
In a reply to a question about his meeting with the US vice president during his recent trip, the PM replied: “It was a private tour. I got a chance to apprise the [US] vice president of our stance since he had asked me to meet with him whenever I visited the US.”
“It was an occasion. We had a discussion and presented our stance before them,” he said, adding that the defence attaché had also accompanied him to the meeting.
Abbasi was also asked about the details of the security check by a curious media. Addressing their curiosity, he said that he has been travelling to the US for the past four decades and feels that every person should get through the security checks.
“Whether I am prime minister or not, it does not affect my prestige; I have seen Bill Clinton pass through the same security [checks],” he said.
“So you decide what embarrassment one has in passing through these checks. I understand that it only adds to your dignity when you go to a [foreign] country and respect it laws.”
On March 24, PM Abbasi was seen at a US airport without any security protocol during a private visit to the country on Saturday. He could be seen following the standard security procedures in place for all passengers in a video circulating on the social media.
Abbasi, known for adhering to simplicity in his personal life, was previously spotted travelling alone at a train station during his visit to Britain.
He also won several hearts after a picture of him cutting cake on his birthday was widely shared on social networking sites in December last year. Dressed casually with a shawl wrapped around, Abbasi was seen cutting the birthday cake at his home.