Naqvi defends Islamabad officials over buggy use at Independence Day parade

Says buggy was arranged for chief guest but was used by officials after they were told to proceed with programme

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday defended the Islamabad police chief and chief commissioner after the two officials drew criticism on social media for using a buggy during the August 14 parade in the capital.

The criticism centred on the two officials' use of the buggy during the parade and Independence Day celebrations. The issue subsequently circulated on social media, prompting the interior minister to issue a clarification.

Have you ever seen London’s Police Commissioner or any senior civil servant riding around in a royal buggy? When this is the mindset in a country deep in debt, where millions are struggling with poverty, how can we ever expect the country to progress? pic.twitter.com/YO5CBrfhAZ

— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) August 15, 2026

Naqvi said the officials were not at fault for using the vehicle and for proceeding with the event in the absence of the chief guest and himself.

“I know what happened was not appropriate, but I want to clarify that it was neither the IG’s nor the Chief Commissioner’s fault,” he said in a post on X.

I know what happened was not appropriate, but I want to clarify that it was neither the IG’s nor the Chief Commissioner’s Islamabad fault.

The Chief Guest and I were delayed due to the President’s meeting with the Prime Minister. The crowd had been waiting since 5:00 pm, and at… https://t.co/pkBmK45RMN

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) August 15, 2026

He explained that the chief guest and he had been delayed due to a meeting between the president and the prime minister.

“The buggy was arranged for the chief guest but, unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances, it was used by the officers,” Naqvi said.

He said both officials had initially resisted starting the programme in their absence.

“I can say on record that both officers initially resisted starting the programme in our absence, but we specifically instructed them to proceed for the convenience of the public,” he added.

Naqvi also thanked the residents of Islamabad for making the August 14 event a celebration.