In yet another incident that raises eyebrows over the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) claims of ending the culture of protocol and promoting austerity, President Arif Alvi was escorted by 28 to 30 security vehicles upon his arrival in Karachi on Friday evening.
According to media reports, Shahrah-e-Faisal and adjoining roads were closed for traffic as the massive convoy ushered President Alvi to his residence from the airport. The people, stuck in gridlocks, kept counting the cars in the president’s protocol.
Hundreds of social media users have uploaded the video of the VVIP movement and criticised the government for “backtracking on its promise of austerity”.
NOT THE FIRST TIME:
Last month, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar reached Pakpattan while using an official helicopter of the provincial government to pay a visit to the shrine of Sufi saint Baba Fareed. The locals were barred from entering the shrine due to CM’s visit while shops were also closed on the occasion.
The government had then played down the use of helicopters, terming it “official prerogative” that did not go against the watchword of the austerity campaign it had initiated amid much fanfare.
In a similar instance, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail had reached Quetta while being escorted by 30 security cars. The governor had visited different areas in the city where his protocol had drawn the ire of locals.