Pakistan

No protocol for VIPs at airports across country, orders interior ministry

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal had travelled on a PIA flight without protocol a few days ago

News Desk August 15, 2017

PHOTO: File

The interior ministry has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that no government official or other VIPs would be given protocol at airports across the country.

Any FIA official caught giving protocol to a VIP would face strict action, the ministry warned in a letter sent to all zones of the agency.

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The letter read that that immigration counters at airports would be monitored and any a VIP was seen being given special treatment, the immigration staff and their shift in-charge would be immediately suspended.

The ministry also directed the FIA to not harass passengers leaving the country.

A few days ago, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal travelled from Islamabad to Lahore on a Pakistan International Airlines flight sans any protocol.

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Iqbal disembarked from the plane and sat in the passenger van along with other passengers, entered the arrival without any staff from the FIA, ASF, Customs, Police and of course hangers-on receiving him.

He walked into the lounge like any other passenger and hopped in a car and headed home.

Earlier this year, the FIA had dismissed one of it’s officials in connection with the mishandling of two Norwegian nationals at Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad.

COMMENTS (9)

Naveed | 7 years ago | Reply Action should speak rather than words...First plz take back the bunch of security officials from former PM, as he is still enjoying the same protocol as of PM.

Kiran | 7 years ago | Reply Tomorrow's headline: VIPs rough up airport staff for not offering them any protocol! VIPs are strange animals, they can't function like normal human beings, atleast when they're in Pakistan.

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Ali S | 7 years ago | Reply I like what I see - Khaqan Abbasi seems to be a serious, responsible PM, I hope he stays till at least May 2018.

Saqib | 7 years ago | Reply Interesting. Let alone politicians small bureaucrat/Babu wants vip protocol. Bad habits don't away easily. A change in bad habits leads to a change in life. Goodluck!

Billoo | 7 years ago | Reply Strictly enforce "stand in line culture" and hold concerned department head accountable if this rule is not followed. This will reduce bribing because people will have to stand in line for their turn.

ZAK | 7 years ago | Reply Geo Ahsan Iqbal. First step toward eradication of VIP culture.

Asif | 7 years ago | Reply Good step but we don't need words but action. VIP culture is a menace in Pakistan. The government should start by closing the free of cost rawal lounge for VIPs. There should be a mechanism to file complaints against FIA/Customs staff who misbehave with general public as well as staff behavior is becoming a serious issue.

BrainBro | 7 years ago | Reply FIA's bread and butter relies on protocol and passenger extortion. They are not going to change, just because Ehsan Iqbal travelled without fanfare.

Shah S | 7 years ago | Reply GOOD, but results to be seen... Bad habits die hard and speciall the corrupt FIA needs to be whipped and punished on their violations of ethics and conduct.. Integrity should be prime;

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