The Independence Day parade held in Islamabad has come under criticism after the Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IG) were seen entering the venue in a royal carriage before the arrival of the chief guest. People present at the event recorded videos of the officials and uploaded them to social media, where their royal-style appearance in a democratic era was widely criticized.
The Islamabad City parade held at D-Chowk on August 14 was scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., but the event started approximately an hour late. While the chief guest, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, was delayed, CDA Chairman Retired Lieutenant General Sohail Ashraf and Islamabad IG Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi arrived at the parade ground in a royal carriage.
Appeals for Applause
The event host formally introduced both officials and repeatedly appealed to the audience to applaud their arrival. Announcements were made over the speakers asking people to welcome the officials riding in the royal carriage with applause.
When the carriage stopped, the Islamabad IG saluted the audience, while both officials were received by other senior administrative and police officers.
Later, the chief guest, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, arrived at the event in his own vehicle, even though the royal carriage appeared to have been designated for his arrival.
اسلام آباد پریڈ گراوند میں 14 اگست کی تقریب مین آئی جی اسلام آباد اور چیرمین سی ڈی اے کی بگھی پر شاہانہ انداز مین آمد شدید تنقید کی زد میں: pic.twitter.com/IsNYKN0GfA
— Tariq Iqbal Chaudhry (@ChoudhryTariq) August 16, 2026
Mohsin Naqvi’s Explanation
Following the controversy on social media, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued an explanation. According to him, the chief guest and he were delayed because the President was meeting with the Prime Minister.
Naqvi said that since people had been waiting for the ceremony since 5 p.m., it was decided at around 6 p.m. that the officials should proceed with the programme rather than keep the public waiting for their arrival.
According to the Interior Minister, the two officials were not at fault in the matter. Instead, he said, they had been instructed to proceed with the programme in their absence.
He said the two officials had initially been hesitant to start the ceremony without the chief guest, but they were asked to proceed in order to prevent the public from waiting any longer.
I know what happened was not appropriate, but I want to clarify that it was neither the IG’s nor the Chief Commissioner’s Islamabad fault.
The Chief Guest and I were delayed due to the President’s meeting with the Prime Minister. The crowd had been waiting since 5:00 pm, and at… https://t.co/pkBmK45RMN
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) August 15, 2026
Strong Reaction on Social Media
After videos and photographs of the two officials arriving in the royal carriage emerged, social media users described the scene as an unnecessary display of grandeur by government officials and strongly criticized the manner of their arrival.
Some users questioned why a royal carriage was used for unelected government officials when the chief guest of the ceremony was an elected constitutional office-holder.
British Colonial Era
Some critics compared the scene to the style of governance during the British colonial era, arguing that even in the present democratic period, officials continue to display such a royal manner. They said that although the British have left, their legacy of colonial pomp and privilege appears to have remained.
Others sarcastically referred to the two officials as “viceroys.” Critics argued that such symbolism at an Independence Day ceremony creates an impression of power and authority rather than public service.
On the other hand, according to the Interior Minister’s explanation, the primary objective was to avoid further delays to the ceremony and prevent the large number of people present from having to wait any longer.
So far, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf, and Islamabad IG Ali Nasir Rizvi have not issued any separate statement regarding the incident.
