After assuming office, the President made his first official visit to the port city.

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - President Arif Alvi faced severe criticism over the heavy protocol accompanying him on his way to his residence in Karachi last night.

After assuming office, the President made his first official visit to the port city.

Instead of travelling from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), he preferred a private flight for his journey. He was taken to his residence in Muhammad Ali society from the airport’s VIP lounge.

Despite refusing to accept protocol, his caravan included at least 42 vehicles. Shahrah-e-Faisal and other adjacent roads were closed for traffic and were opened after the president has passed from the area.

This raised many eyebrows as the ruling party and his elected members in government have always spoken against the VIP protocol. However; the president took to twitter to clear the air over the 42-vehicle protocol ans stressed that more efforts have to be made to avoid such situation.

The long chain of official cars following me is despite the fact that I asked all officials present at the airport not to embarrass me with a huge protocol & that 1 or 2 cars in front and 1 or 2 cars behind may satisfy their security needs. Did not happen. We have to try harder — Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) September 15, 2018

He also responded to a query pertaining to police mobiles outside his house 24/7.

We should look into this too and not become a nuisance for my own neighbourhood where I have lived all my life. I do not begrudge security but when it becomes painful for the common man we should draw a line somewhere. https://t.co/iOi2X9yABO — Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) September 15, 2018

One of the person suggested that the long protocol also included the vehicles accompanying Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Governor Imran Ismail and other PTI MNAs and MPAs who were present at the airport for the President’s welcome.