Return of Ali Haider

It was indeed a very good news to hear about the return of Ali Haider Gilani after three years of incarceration at the hands of his abductors. The reunion with the family, especially the mother, must have been wonderful and something to really rejoice for him and the entire family. However, one thing that I don’t understand is his evacuation from Afghanistan by a special plane. A special flight costs a lot not only by way of fuel, but for its operating costs also. These involve landing fees abroad, man hour costs of pilots and crews, flight kitchen costs and above all the flying hours deducted from the overall life of the plane, landing gears, tyres and most important its engines .  Who pays for these in this case? Are the sons of  former Prime Ministers entitled to it?  I think not.  Who can order such an unauthorised special flight?  Are our planes – whether civil or military- a public property or private that anyone can order them to ! fly anywhere at one’s whims ?  And last but not the least, would the person who authorised this flight do the same for the son of an ordinary Pakistani?!

Maal e muft dil e berehm.

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)