Setback to Imran Khan as Pakistan's Car Auction Fails to Generate Revenues
The auction was a part of the PTI government's austerity measures.
Islamabad, Sep 18: In a setback to newly-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, an auction of government vehicles failed to generate revenues as much as was being expected. Till Monday, the Pakistan government received 200 million rupees by auctioning their vehicles. However, it is just one-tenth of the amount Imran Khan had predicted.
The Pakistan government could sell only 62 of just over 100 vehicles as part of Khan's austerity drive. Seven luxury bulletproof cars were among the cars sold in the auction. Two bomb proof cars did not find buyers, according to a Geo News report. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry claimed that the first batch of vehicles were "sold above their market price".
"A reminder that all this recovery will go back into serving the people of Pakistan under the Prime Minister's austerity drive. It is these efforts that will add up to a revolution in leadership mindset in Pakistan," the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf tweeted. The auction was a part of the PTI government's austerity measures.
Soon after taking rein of the country, Khan promised to raise quick revenue by cost cutting, trimming motorcades of government officials and selling public land. However, Khan's critics say the cost-cutting so far has been mostly cosmetic. "There is nothing new in the current austerity drive," political commentator Raza Rumi told Reuters.
Chaudhry, however, defended the move, saying even symbolic steps were important for building national unity and small savings could add up. Khan is also facing flak for flying in helicopter almost daily. Defending this, Chaudhry said that the helicopter uses less fuel than a motorcade, a statement which is being mocked by many.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2018 11:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).