Naeem-ul-Haq defends PM Imran's use of helicopter

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Naeem-ul-Haq has responded to strong criticism over the use of a helicopter by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The special assistant to the prime minister issued a statement that Imran Khan only flew by helicopter twice, adding that an unnecessary debate is being created on the media.

He said that the prime minister does not want traffic to be stopped on the roads when he travels and that people should not be troubled.

He further said the prime minister also wants expenditures incurred on security arrangements by posting hundreds of policemen on a route and large number of vehicles should be curtailed.

“An ill advised and ill informed debate going on in the media about PMs helicopter expenses,” he said.

Naeem said that the prime minister used the helicopter only twice in a week while travelling between the two destinations. The premier flew to Bani Gala on Friday evening and came back to PM House in Islamabad on Monday.

The ruling party is facing severe criticism after it emerged the prime minister who advocated austerity used a helicopter to commute between the two destinations.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also defended the use of the chopper and and said it is more economical and practical instead of road travel. He said the prime minister also faced severe security risks, and played down the use of helicopters by government officials for travel.

An ill advised and ill informed debate going on in the media about PMs helicopter expenses. The fact of the matter is that the helicopter is used used only twice in a week. On Friday evening when he moves to Bani Gala and on Monday morning when he moves back.

— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) August 30, 2018

PM wants that no traffic shud be stopped on roads when he travels and people shud not be troubled. He also wants that expenditure incurred on security arrangements by posting hundreds of policemen on a route and large number of vehicles shud be curtailed.

— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) August 30, 2018