Naqvi comes to CDA chairman, Islamabad IG's defence as carriage video draws flak

A video of two senior Pakistani officials riding in a horse carriage during an Independence Day parade has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with many decrying the spectacle as a display of a "colonial" mindset.

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The chief guest and I were delayed due to the president’s meeting with the prime minister. The crowd had been waiting since 5pm, and at around 6:00 pm, when it became clear that we would be late, we instructed the officers to start the programme because we did not want the public to wait any longer.

The footage, showing Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman retired Lt Sohail Ashraf and Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi arriving in the carriage, went viral on social media. Despite prompts for applause, the video captured a telling silence from the attendees, which some interpreted as public contempt for "unelected babus ruining our cities."

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Unbelievably stupid to try and revive such colonial practices! Self-humiliation!

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stepped in to defend the officials, explaining the carriage was intended for the chief guest who was delayed due to a meeting with the prime minister. He stated that the officers were instructed to proceed with the program to prevent the public from waiting longer. Naqvi emphasized that the officials had initially resisted starting without the chief guest but complied for the public's convenience.

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This is what happens when you do things unbecoming of your office. Pakistan’s political class has its problems, but at the end of the day they have to pander to citizens for support, votes and legitimacy; however flawed. Civil and military bureaucracy, on the other hand, functions with complete impunity, much like the British Raj from which we inherited them.

However, the clarification did little to quell the criticism. Former federal minister Shireen Mazari shared the video, calling the act "unbelievably stupid" and an attempt to revive colonial practices. Digital rights activist Usama Khilji criticized the officials for acting with impunity, likening their behavior to that of the British Raj. Journalist Farzana Ali questioned the appropriateness of such displays in a country burdened by daily economic hardship, while journalist Zarrar Khuhro simply labeled the scene "CRINGE."

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Are these scenes from the same country where a new burden is imposed on poverty-stricken people every day on the pretext that the country is facing difficulties?