ISLAMABAD: Pakistani social media has been abuzz with claims that several parliamentarians used public funds to fly to Saudi Arabia for Hajj on a special chartered flight. However, these claims have been proven inaccurate.
According to a senior official of the state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the parliamentarians who traveled for Hajj on June 25 actually paid for their own airfare.
This man stole powder milk for his kid while PDM government is busy arranging a free flight for parliamentarians to go on Hajj. Everyone misses Imran Khan a little more every day, people who used to make fun of "panah gaas" and "koi bhoka na soye" r silent now,bloody hypocrites. https://t.co/ztLEU21LIn
— A⁷H Malik (@hatapheena) June 25, 2023
Abdullah Hafeez Khan, the spokesperson of PIA, confirmed that the airline did not provide any free tickets for the flight. He stated that the parliamentarians had come to their office and obtained the tickets, which had been paid for by all of them. This clarification debunks the circulating misinformation on social media.
The group of 52 Pakistani pilgrims who traveled for Hajj included President Dr. Arif Alvi, his family, and staff, as well as notable individuals such as Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Murtaza Abbasi, and caretaker Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi. Additionally, the flight accommodated 90 regular passengers.
Pakistan’s Govt Arranged Special Flight for Parliamentarians
The government had arranged a special flight for parliamentarians who wished to undertake the religious pilgrimage. Pakistan’s Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, informed the National Assembly on June 24 that an agreement had been made with Saudi Arabia to facilitate the travel of lawmakers.
Due to an ongoing budget session in Pakistan, some parliamentarians missed the regular Hajj flights that were scheduled until June 20. Consequently, the government organized a special flight for them on June 25, ensuring they had the opportunity to participate in the religious ritual.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, who was among the travelers on June 25, also confirmed that everyone on the flight “paid the full fare.” This further supports the fact that public funds were not utilized for their Hajj travel.
The claim that Pakistani parliamentarians used public funds for their Hajj travel is inaccurate. They individually purchased their tickets, paying for their own airfare. The misinformation circulating on social media has been debunked by official statements from PIA and government officials.
