Constitutional positions don’t need protocol: Asif

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday said constitutional positions did not need protocol and those who required it should quit politics.

Speaking in the budget session of the National Assembly, he noted that people abused ministers when they were escorted by police vehicles. Asif continued that they were escorted by police vehicles even when they were not occupying any government positions.

“If you face so much danger, then leave politics and do something else,” he added. The defence minister said if somebody had enmity, they should hire the services of personal guards.

Asif said the NA should not approve the bill for the privileges of the Senate chairman and his deputy.

He pointed out that giving the nod to such a bill in the prevailing circumstances, where the common people were suffering, was inappropriate.

The minister explained that the process of presenting the budget had been completed and now the government would move on to signing the deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Asif also clarified that parliamentarians were performing Hajj out of their own pockets.

A day earlier, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said in the NA that a special flight was dedicated for parliamentarians for this purpose for their convenience.

Asif said the perception that a Hajj flight was reserved exclusively for parliamentarians was incorrect as regular pilgrims would be on board that plane as well.

He added that because of the ongoing budget session, the last Hajj flight was reserved for parliamentarians and they would be undertaking the holy journey at their own expense.

On Saturday, Dar said in light of the current restrictions imposed by the Saudi Arabian authorities on Hajj flights, the government had successfully secured a special plane exclusively for parliamentarians.

He added that some of his “esteemed colleagues” had already embarked on their Hajj journey.

The finance minister emphasised that this flight would be made available for the benefit of their fellow parliamentarians, enabling them to commemorate the auspicious day of Arafah without any hindrances.

He added that the designated flight would depart on Sunday (yesterday), allowing their colleagues to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage and offer prayers for the prosperity as well as well-being of Pakistan.

Dar prayed for the Almighty’s blessings and protection, expressing hope that this journey of spiritual enlightenment would contribute to the overall betterment of the country.