Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered the withdrawal of the security protocol of 7 ministers this Sunday to utilise tax money in a more useful manner.

A source has told Aaj Tv that Khan has ordered that the security protocol be curtailed and reduced to 2 officers. This includes the security personnel of Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser, Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, Federal Ministers Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Pervez Khattak, and others. This move also comes after the PM’s statement that he wants to rebuild trust between the citizens and the government when it comes to taxes.

According to sources, Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, has protested the reduction in protocol. Mazari reportedly said that she doesn’t understand why 3 out of her 5 personnel have been recalled even though she was not provided with a squad car. She also commented on how Chairman Senate will be allowed to retain his security personnel.

Just last week, the PM declared that he would no longer attend private functions with security protocol and that he will be reviewing protocol and security for ministers, governors, and Cabinet Ministers to avoid public inconvenience.

Khan called the large displays of protocol a “colonial legacy of pomp and glory” and said that the Cabinet would devise a plan to reduce protocol.

Earlier, in May and June, the Prime Minister’s Office shared videos and pictures on social media showing the PM driving himself to different areas without security protocol.

Before being elected, Khan frequently promoted the idea of living with austerity and without excess. A month after Khan took office in 2018, 61 of the Prime Minister House’s luxury and security vehicles were auctioned off.