President Arif Alvi’s Hajj pilgrimage sparked controversy after reports that a large entourage accompanied him and that the government was paying for the trip. However, the press secretary to the presidency clarified that Alvi was paying for his own expenses, including those of his family and security staff. He also said that Alvi was on the same flight as other federal ministers and parliamentarians and that there was no chartered flight for the president.
The controversy was based on false rumors, and Alvi was not actually accompanied by a large entourage or using government funds to pay for his trip. Alvi’s decision to pay for his Hajj expenses was praised by many, who saw it as a sign of his commitment to austerity.
The controversy began after a list of the members of Alvi’s delegation was leaked to the media. The list included Alvi’s wife, children, and grandchildren, as well as several security personnel.