In what could be termed as one of the excessive examples of VVIP culture in Pakistan, a boarded flight was delayed indefinitely due to some so-called VVIP arriving or leaving the airport.

PIA’s flight from Karachi to Islamabad was all ready to take off when it was announced that “the airport has been declared closed” and they cannot take-off at the moment. All the passengers had boarded the flight already and the flight was about to take off when the airline staff was notified that a takeoff is not possible.

The following message was announced:

“On behalf of Pakistan International Airlines, I welcome you all on board PIA’s flight from Karachi to Islamabad. Although we are all set for departure, but airport has been declared closed due to arrival of a VVIP and subsequent departure as well. So, we are not being given any specific time for departure…”

The video evidence was uploaded on twitter and the uploader confirmed that the flight was delayed indefinitely.

PIA Captain announcing that "airport has been declared closed" & flight has been indefinitely delayed due to VVIP movement. pic.twitter.com/IFflWmMsjz — M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) February 3, 2017

While a common occurrence on the roads of Pakistan, such an instance is unheard off from any airline or airport in anyplace around the world. Important people, including the Presidents and Prime Ministers everywhere in the world travel through airports but flights are never delayed for indefinite period of time.

Its still beyond understanding as to what potential security benefit could delaying a flight bring. Its not like someone on board the flight could do anything since the plane was ready for take off.

Such VVIP culture should end as everyone is equally important citizen of a country. When such news about Pakistani airlines and airports reaches international media, it diminish their values even further.