Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday questioned the sharp increase in the number of bulletproof vehicles in Pakistan, urging the Interior Ministry to compile a comprehensive list of their owners and examine the justification for their use. Speaking in the National Assembly, Asif called for greater scrutiny of the country's VIP security culture, a day after he called for a ban on the widespread use of Vigo pickup trucks in Parliament Lodges and on public roads.
Asif Demands List of Bulletproof Vehicle Owners
Asif said authorities should determine who owned such vehicles, why they required them, and how they managed the substantial cost of maintaining them. "The interior ministry should prepare a list of bulletproof vehicles across the country," Asif said. "We should see who has a bulletproof vehicle and why they have one." The minister also questioned how owners managed the recurring expense of replacing bulletproof tyres every three months.
Vigo Pickup Trucks Under Fire
A day earlier, Asif had slammed the use of Vigo pickup trucks at Parliament Lodges and on roads, proposing that they be banned. "Save Parliament from Vigo pickups. Vigo pickups are vulgar anyway," he had remarked. He also urged ministers to stop displaying official flags on their vehicles after office hours, saying the flags were unnecessary when ministers themselves were travelling in the vehicles. "There should be some mechanism to prevent Vigo pickups from entering Parliament Lodges," he said. "When we are in power, the police lead us; when we are out of power, the police follow us," he added, noting that Vigo pickups should be banned both from Parliament Lodges and public roads.
Security Culture Questioned
Asif further questioned the need for heavy security around lawmakers residing at Parliament Lodges. "Members of Parliament live in Parliament Lodges. Who is under threat there?" he asked. His remarks highlight ongoing concerns about the proliferation of security measures and vehicles among politicians and officials, which critics argue reflects a culture of privilege and unnecessary expenditure.
