MoFA asked to provide protocol to LHC judge's son during foreign trip.

ISLAMABAD -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is facing a dilemma after being asked to provide protocol services for the son of a senior judge during the former's travel outside the country. The rules of protocol don't allow such preferential treatment, but the ministry has been instructed to do the needful, according to media.

The protocol request has been made for Syed Muhammad Ali, the son of Justice Ali Baqar Najafi of the Lahore High Court. Muhammad Ali intends to travel to the US, and a request has been made that he be accorded protocol during the immigration process in Abu Dhabi and later upon his arrival at New York's airport from where the embassy staff should drive him to his destination. The same is to be repeated on his return to Pakistan.

A letter sent by the senior additional registrar of the LHC's Rawalpindi bench, which deals with matters where the federal government is involved, reads: 'It is respectfully submitted that Hon'ble Mr Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, Judge, Lahore High Court desires for the provision of protocol facilities to Mr Syed Muhammad Ali son of his lordship at Abu Dhabi [airport] and John F Kennedy International [airport]'.

The letter has been sent by Muhammad Iram Ayaz, district and sessions judge, who is also working as senior additional registrar. The schedule of Muhammad Ali's visit has also been shared. The protocol at the Pakistan end will, it appears, be handled by the police/FIA as the instructions to the MoFA are only related to Abu Dhabi and New York. The foreign secretary, Pakistan's ambassador in the UAE and the consul general in New York have been copied as well in the letter.

'I shall be highly grateful, if necessary, protocol facilities at Abu Dhabi International Airport and John F Kennedy International Airport, New York, for fast process of immigration briefing, along with facilities of conveyance from John F Kennedy...