'Austerity drive': PM Imran to fly on commercial flight to US

May stay at envoy's official residence instead of a Washington hotel, sources say

ISLAMABAD: As part of the government's "austerity drive", Prime Minister Imran Khan will fly to the United States on a commercial flight rather than a charter plane, a PM aide has confirmed.

“PM Imran Khan will fly to Washington by Qatar Airways,” Naeemul Haq tweeted on Thursday.

PM Imran Khan will fly to Washington by Qatar Airways.

— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) July 18, 2019

In his maiden visit to the US, the prime minister will travel from July 21-23 on the invitation of President Donald Trump in a bid to reset the strained relations between the two countries.

Since coming into power, PM Imran had vowed to adopt austerity, and cut back on government expenses unlike his predecessors.  However, this will be the first time he will travel on a commercial plane for official visits. Earlier, he used a private plane for state visits to countries including the UAE and Malaysia.

Meanwhile, sources claimed that the PM, during his state visit, may stay at Pakistani envoy's official residence in Washington instead of a hotel.

Federal Minister Murad Saeed had claimed on Wednesday that former premier Nawaz Sharif incurred an expenditure of $460,000 during his 2015 US visit, whereas PM Imran's visit will cost the public $60,000 only.