The Pakistan government raised Rs 23 lakhs in auction of eight buffaloes kept by Nawaz Sharif at the PM House for his "gastronomic requirements", a close aide of Prime Minister Imran Khan confirmed. Imran Khan Targets PM Narendra Modi as India Calls Off Meeting With Pakistan, Says 'Small Men Occupying Big Offices'.

The senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader had alerted the potential buyers to get ready for the auction of eight buffaloes kept by Sharif, the former prime minister and PML-N leader at the PM House.

Cash-starved Pakistan government led by Khan has launched an austerity drive after coming in power. Under this scheme, more than 80 luxury cars were also auctioned.

Earlier, auction of luxury cars parked at the PM House had taken place. The four surplus helicopters lying unused with the Cabinet Division were also planned to be sold.

"After the surplus car auction, 4 surplus helicopters will be sold which are lying unused with the cabinet division. Plus, now listen to this, 8 buffaloes which Nawaz kept at the PM house for his gastronomic requirements. So all potential buyers please get ready," Haq had tweeted.

The buffaloes were sold after the auction of luxury and surplus vehicles, which had taken place on September 17.

Nawaz Sharif, a three-time prime minister, was sentenced to 10-years in jail in a corruption case in July and his jail term was later suspended.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan suggested that government-owned land lying as 'dead capital' could be used to generate income instead of resorting to foreign aid to shore up the country's finances. The Prime Minister said that just the urban portion of the government-owned land was worth Rs 300 billion while Pakistan's daily interest payment amounts to Rs 5 billion.