Prime Minister Imran Khan’s helicopter’s trips to and from his residence in Bani Gala to PM House is all Pakistanis on Twitter can talk about. In fact, the hashtag ‘helicopter’ is the top trend on Twitter on Wednesday.
The matter came to light a day when Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry defended the PM’s use of chopper claiming that it only cost “Rs55 per kilometer.”
Hearing the minister’s quote, Pakistanis decided that its time to ditch their cars, Ubers, Careems, Rickshaws and other modes of travel and opt to commute via helicopters. That, of course, translated into some of the funniest tweets.
Coming soon in #NayaPakistan #helicopter service. ✌ pic.twitter.com/kvY0CESdNo
— Ayaz Usafzai (@AyazUsafzai) August 29, 2018
Am anxiously await for @CareemPAK to step up their transpiration game and give us all premium Helicopter service.
I support IK’s vision but what is this? ?#helicopter#Tabdeeli— Shehzadi (@heybeautybae) August 29, 2018
Today I was going to buy a Vespa but now as our information minister told us that it costs 55RS per 13 KM for a helicopter so I’m gonna buy it
Amma committee daal lo#Helicopter— Syed Zaadah (@S_Shujaat_Ali) August 29, 2018
#helicopter
So now helicopter is cheaper then careem and uber then govt should start helicopter service for all peoples so they can save more money— Sadia Shaukat (@SadiaShaukat10) August 28, 2018
Kon sa wala loon ?#olx #SastaSafar#helicopter #helicopters pic.twitter.com/ibVIpcWOjo
— Qaiser Afridi (@qaiser_afridi10) August 29, 2018
#helicopter
KPK. #Tabdeeli aa nahi rhi. Tabdeeli agyi hai. #tabdeelikasafar pic.twitter.com/wmdqRcCInD— Shaheen Afridi (@XaineAfRidi) August 29, 2018
It looks like my car is taking more fuel then Helicopter… kal se main Helicopter main office jaounga… #Helicopter #helicopter #Pakistan #PTI #gareeb #awam
— Faisal Mehmood (@faisymhd) August 29, 2018
ایک سو دس کا ڈال دیں, بس بنی گالا تک جانا ہے۔ ,???#Helicopter pic.twitter.com/WJNQ7sGtHV
— Ⓐⓢⓘⓜ (@asimanwarmughal) August 29, 2018
#helicopter in #Karachi ???
#haha #lol #FunnyPost #FunPost #Funny #FunnyMeme #funnymemes #memes#Facebook #instagram #whatsapp #snapchat #socialmedia #islamabad #Muslim #Muslims #Twitter #Lahore #Quetta #balochistan #KPK #Dubai #USA #UAE #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/j1U41Hfyi1— zȜE (@MarshMellOoooww) August 29, 2018
All rickshaws in Punjab will be replaced with this #helicopter to lessen the road traffic and accidents. #CMPunjab pic.twitter.com/9Y5opShBkY
— Ahmad Gulfam (@ahmadgulfam5) August 29, 2018
Wating for @CareemPAK to start #helicopter service. Hum b unchi uran bharna chty hain.
— Mariam Bari (@bari_mariam) August 28, 2018
Fawad Chaudhry: #helicopter costs 55 rupees per km.
Me: why in the world am i using Uber. pic.twitter.com/UM1xrPLLLx
— Atif Ali (@i_am_Than0s) August 28, 2018
Former Federal Minister of Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs and PML-N Leader Miftah Ismail also made a joke on the matter asking his followers whether he should opt for a Suzuki or a helicopter as his next mode of transport.
I am thinking of disposing family’s old Corolla and getting a cheaper, more reliable form of transport. Can’t decide if I should get a Suzuki or a Helicopter. #nayamaths
— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) August 28, 2018
Some PTI supporters were quick to defend their leader.
#helicopter
Helicopter issue is our آٹا گندی ہلدی کیوں ہے؟ psyche.
A PM needs to commute safely & rapidly, if he commutes on roads he is accused of inconveniencing people if he flies, it is expensive? ? What do u want?
Get a life people.— Asher Azeem Gill (@ashirazeemgill) August 29, 2018
Those unduly criticising PM @ImranKhanPTI for the use of Helicopter from PMhouse2Banygala must know that
1.Using Heli for 3min Fly is more CHEAPERfuel consumption wise considering at leat 5to7 vehicles of necessary Security to be used instead
2. More SAFE
3. No Traffic BLOCKAGE— Ali Muhammad Khan (@Ali_MuhammadPTI) August 26, 2018
#helicopter I don’t understand why people are making such a big issue of #primeministerofpakistan #ImranKhanPrimeMinister to use the helicopter . We as a nation are highly complexed ourselves…Kabhi na khoosh huney wali quom. Leave him alone so the good work continues. ?✌?
— shahana Khan (@shahana03862615) August 28, 2018
PM Imran Khan is ABSOLUTELY and 100% right to use a helicopter for his weekend commute from and to Bani Gala. It is way cheaper, safer and more efficient than being driven with PM’s security protocol.
This is a complete non issue. Keep going PM Imran Khan .#Helicopter pic.twitter.com/FhHXM1E8bL— Mian Waleed (@waleedMianPTI) August 29, 2018
Its not about 55 or 80Rs/Km.
If cost of traveling in a #helicopter is less than the cost of a full fledged security protocol than whats wrong?? Why so buzz??
At least he is not using it for personal affairs.— Suleman Ahmad (@SulemanAhmad12) August 29, 2018
Addressing a press conference after the federal cabinet meeting, Fawad, in response to journalists’ queries, had said that he had Googled the cost of the use of the helicopter, suggesting the media representatives to check it themselves too.
“He [Imran Khan] is the prime minister. Would he travel via a taxi?” the minister had asked, adding that the premier travelling by air did not affect the public.