Premier Gilani saves after rainy days

Cancellation of US trip spares Rs50 million per day.

ISLAMABAD: Whatever the reason for Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s cancellation of his US visit, be it fear of a political backlash or a strain in diplomatic relations, Pakistan has saved millions of rupees.

The PM was scheduled to stay in the US from September 19 to 25 and deliver a speech at the United Nations. The trip would have cost at least Rs.50 million per day, which many considered a hefty cost considering the national kitty is already cash-starved.

Gilani on Saturday announced his decision to instead stay at home and concentrate efforts on the floods in Sindh and the dengue crisis in the country. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will now represent the country.

According to official sources the PM’s entourage would have been around 100-strong. Cabinet members and their families, government officials and a media team were booked rooms in the Roosevelt Hotel, New York, where room rates start at $350 per night.

The charges for VIP suites, which had been reserved for ministers, were up to $1000 per night, with The Presidential Suite going for an even higher rate. In addition, authorities had booked 25 luxury limousines for the official delegation.

The sanctioned amount of Rs.50 million per day did not include the air travel expenses of a chartered plane and other minor expenses, which were also to be borne through the national exchequer.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th,  2011.