NEW DELHI: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan‘s maiden visit to Washington last month has set an example of simplicity and austerity.
According to the details released by the government, the Prime Minister’s ‘official working visit’ to US with 27-member delegation on his maiden trip costs only $67,180 (Rs11m), spent 11 times less than Asif Zardari and eight times less than Nawaz Sharif.
Instead of opting to charter an entire plane, they flew on a commercial Qatar Airways flight, The Express Tribune quoted the statement as saying.
During the trip, Rs 1.35 million were spent on the hotel expenses with Rs6 million for the PM’s delegation.
Meanwhile, Khan gave gifts of Rs 142,000 and spent Rs 700,000 on tips. Rs 1.3 million were spent on food and refreshments.
Comparison to Former Regimes
In comparison, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his three-day official visit in 201 with a delegation of 44 members 3 spent USD 549,854.
The Pakistan Peoples Party chief Zardari on four days first official visit (from 04-08 May 2009) to the United States spent USD 752,682, the government statement said.
