The newly formed Pakistan government has asked the immigrant wing of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) not to offer VIP protocol to the ministers and top leaders of the country as Pakistan airports. The move is being implemented from Sunday.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said, “We have decided to strictly implement the decision to provide equal opportunities to all travelers without any discrimination.”
Chaudhry added it is usual practice of influential people to seek assistance of the agency’s officials for prompt luggage clearance. If any official is found offering VIP protocol to any individual, strict action would be taken.
He further mentioned the official in charge of the shift too would be suspended without any delay if a FIA official is found offering special perks to any VIP at the immigration counters.
Until now the VIP protocol in Pakistan was given to politicians, judges, legislators, military officials, journalists and senior bureaucrats.
It has been usual practice at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport that VIPs would wait sitting at the luxury lounge while their luggage was being cleared by FIA officials, Airport Security Staff or Civil Aviation Authority.
Lately, the Imran Khan’s new cabinet has also banned first-class air travel for top officials of Pakistan including President and head of the government.
One of the primary reasons for the ban is that domestic flights do not offer such class and international operators charge very high fares, about three-hundred times more.
