April 13th, 2008

The Prime Minister's promise of ending VIP culture, which he made on the floor of the National Assembly soon after taking oath, is being put to test by his close associates in the party as well those closely working with him in the government.

One such party senior member was recently elected to a responsible public office arrived at Karachi Airport at around 2.30 a.m. some days ago along with heavy protocol to receive her guests who were coming from abroad. Officials at the airport told The News that she ordered opening of the 'VIP state lounge' for her guests. This order was readily complied with despite the fact that it goes against the rules on who can use this facility.

But there was more to come. The lady's guests left the airport premises without fulfilling immigration formalities. Officials said that all incoming and outgoing passengers have to be registered by the immigration staff on the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES). However, the honoured guests straight away went to the departure lounge.

In another incident, officials disclosed that a close associate of one of the top leaders of the ruling party arrived at the airport on an overseas flight. A personal assistant of one of the top bureaucrats in Islamabad also phoned the concerned officials at the Karachi airport to give this distinguished "guest" VVIP protocol from the "Satellite" (shute) of the plane. It was further disclosed that this close friend of the new leader became furious when no senior official was at hand to hold his luggage as he entered the airport building from the plane. When he was politely informed that porters were not allowed to take luggage from the satellite bridge as this was a security hazard, the guest in question raised hell and abused all staffers present.

(The News.)