[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]A special PIA flight transported government officials and their personnel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj. Due to the government budget on Sunday, the officials missed their earlier Hajj flight.
President Arif Alvi, his family, and staff were among the 52 pilgrims, as were Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Murtaza Abbasi, and caretaker Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi. The flight also carried 90 normal passengers.
In a National Assembly (NA) session, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar highlighted the flight, saying it was intended to help parliamentarians. He later emphasised, though, that the politicians covered their own expenditures. After Islamabad asked permission from Saudi officials for a special PIA flight for legislators involved in the budget debate, the arrangements were made.
Interestingly, the trip included politicians, the president, his wife, and employees. According to reports, Saudi authorities were not aware of President Alvi’s arrival, and airport officials first barred passengers from disembarking for almost 15 minutes. A passenger on the flight mentioned the delay.
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Airport officials questioned why they had not been informed about the president’s specific trip with the ‘Pak-1 call sign’ in advance. A fleet of black Mercedes vehicles arrived at the landing strip 15 minutes later to accompany President Alvi.
The other passengers remained on the plane and were later taken to the airport lounge like regular travelers.
President Akhtar Munir’s press secretary assured that the president, along with six family members and four staff members, travelled to Hajj on his own dime and that no official monies were utilised.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
