The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has directed government departments (both federal and provincial) to cease access to unauthorized protocols.
Ever since the ongoing government took charge, it seems to condemn the protocol culture of the country. PM promised the nation to halt this culture, an example of which is the recent letter of PM Imran Khan to the concerned authorities including federal and provincial ministries, agencies and other state departments to end this filthy culture of providing unauthorized VIP protocols to the unentitled people at the airport.
Moreover, the letter says that only senior ministers, VIPs and state guests will be given such protocols. Apart from that, the word “senior ministers” creates confusion here. All cabinet ministers are equal in the eye of the government, however, the connotation of this term is quite vague in the letter.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Civil Aviation Authority, police special branch, Airport security force, Pakistan International Airlines, customs, immigration protectorate, intelligence agencies, and other departments deploy their officers at the airport who are responsible to welcome and see off the guests as per the orders of the respective departments and ministries.
It should be noted that perks of such protocols include quick access to checked luggage and stamped passports without longing for them by standing in long queues. Additionally, they don’t have to pay for enjoying amenities like free refreshments and access to the special lounges. Such an attitude of concerned authorities towards unentitled people creates a sense of deprivation and insecurity among the laymen using the same airport.
Author: Iqra Arif