Asif takes another jab at VIP security

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for a comprehensive review of bulletproof vehicle ownership across Pakistan, urging authorities to examine who is using such vehicles and on what basis.

Speaking in the National Assembly on Monday, the minister said the number of bulletproof vehicles had increased significantly in recent years and stressed the need for greater regulatory scrutiny.

He asked the Interior Ministry to compile a detailed list of all bulletproof vehicles in the country and assess the justification behind their use.

“The interior ministry should prepare a list of bulletproof vehicles across the country,” he said. “We should see who has a bulletproof vehicle and why they have one.”

The minister also raised concerns over the cost of maintaining such vehicles, including the frequent replacement of specialised tyres, and questioned how owners were managing these expenses.

His remarks follow his earlier statement in which he criticised the use of Vigo pickup trucks at Parliament Lodges and on public roads, suggesting restrictions on their movement in sensitive areas.

He also called for an end to the display of official flags on ministerial vehicles outside working hours, stating that such symbols of authority were unnecessary beyond official duties.

Asif further questioned the level of security provided to parliamentarians residing in Parliament Lodges, asking what level of threat justified heightened protection measures.