An elderly woman kisses Imran Khan's shoulder during a fuction in Islamabad. File

Gulf Today Report

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that he would no longer be going to private functions with protocol and security in order to save taxpayer’ money and avoid inconvenience to the public.

Imran said that he was also reviewing the protocol and security available to chief ministers, governors and federal and provincial ministers belonging to the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) “to decide how we can minimise expenditure and end public inconvenience. ”

In a tweet Imran said that to save taxpayer money & avoid inconvenience to the public I will not be going to any private function with protocol & security. I am also reviewing protocol & security for ministers, governors & PTI CMs to decide how we can minimise expenditure & end public inconvenience.

The prime minister said that next federal cabinet meeting will decide on a comprehensive policy in this regard. An another tweet Imran said that “we will put an end to the colonial legacy of pomp & glory used to overwhelm the people.

Separately, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the premier has asked the government functionaries to be careful in using protocol and security.

Imran said that only federal ministers were entitled to use the national flag on official vehicles and next week a detailed policy would be announced in that regard.

In May and June, Imran himself drove the car and had made a surprise visit to different public places in Islamabad without any security and protocol. The prime minister was warmly welcomed by residents and shopkeepers.