LONDON: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has not availed himself of any protocol during his current visit to London, setting a brilliant example, especially for those who claim to be devoted to the working class. Dr Malik, accompanied by Senator Mir Hasil Buksh Bizenjo, arrived in London on Friday night to attend the day-long Faiz Mela on Saturday and also to take part in several meetings over the course of a week. For what has become rare for Pakistan’s ruling elite, Dr Malik was picked up from London’s Heathrow Airport by his London-based friends from Karachi University days – National Students Federation (NSF) and Balochistan Students Organization (BSO) – and is staying at a budget hotel in central London. Pakistan’s High Commission in London offered to providechauffeur-driven diplomatic car to the chief minister of the biggest province of Pakistan but Dr Malik politely declined the offer and told the High Commission that he needed neither driver nor the accommodation. For his London visit, Dr Malik has paid ticket from his own pocket and would bear all expenses of his travel. This is unheard of because Pakistani politicians, civil and military notables and bureaucrats are known for becoming burden on Pakistan’s national exchequer.Both Dr Malik and Senator Bizenjo dragged their bags from the Heathrow Airport and surprised many Pakistanis there who couldn’t believe that Pakistan’s leading politicians from a ruling party could do anything like that. Two other politicians have also been seen not availing the protocol facilities: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif who goes about his business with one or two assistants while in London, and Farhatullah Babar who has been witnessed traveling in economy on his own.
