PM rebukes Islamabad officials over ceremonial buggy ride

An official advisory issued by the Establishment Division said the incident had attracted widespread public criticism and prompted

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed serious displeasure over the use of a ceremonial horse-drawn buggy by Islamabad’s chief commissioner and inspector general during the August 14 Independence Day celebrations.

An official advisory issued by the Establishment Division said the incident had attracted widespread public criticism and prompted the Prime Minister to take a serious view of the conduct. The advisory was issued to Islamabad Chief Commissioner Lt (retd) Sohail Ashraf and Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi.

According to the advisory, the prime minister believed that the display of pomp and show created an impression of privilege, ostentation and personal glorification, which was contrary to the principles of public service. It stressed that government officials entrusted with public offices were expected to demonstrate humility, restraint, dignity and sound judgment.

The Establishment Division warned that such conduct could weaken public confidence in government institutions and fall short of the standards expected from senior officials. The two officials were advised to exercise greater care in carrying out their duties and ensure that similar incidents did not happen again.

The controversy emerged after images and videos of the officials travelling in the ceremonial buggy during the Independence Day event circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from the public.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi subsequently defended the officials, saying they were not responsible for the decision to use the buggy. He explained that the vehicle had originally been arranged for the chief guest, while he and the chief guest were delayed because of a meeting involving the president and prime minister.

Naqvi said the two officials had initially been reluctant to begin the programme in the absence of the chief guest and the minister but were instructed to proceed to avoid inconvenience to the public.

Despite the clarification, the incident continued to attract attention, ultimately leading to the formal advisory from the Establishment Division.