Ostentatious display: Gilgit-Baltistan spent Rs20m on PM’s visit
The cash-strapped Gilgit-Baltistan government spent approximately Rs20 million on arrangements for the prime minister’s visit to the region, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who laid the foundation stone for the country’s third-largest reservoir the Diamer-Bhasha Dam in Chilas on Tuesday, stayed in the area for an hour or two where he was accompanied by the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister, governor and Pakistan Peoples Party workers and leaders from the region.
According to sources, before Gilani’s arrival in Chilas, two bullet-proof cars were flown to Gilgit via a C-130 aircraft and then transported to Chilas, about 124 kilometres from Gilgit.
“The cars were used to escort the prime minister from and to the helipad, for a distance of approximately one kilometre,” a government official said on condition of anonymity.
After the event, sources said, the cars were transported back to Gilgit by trucks and flown to Islamabad by a similar plane.
The prime minister’s entourage comprised Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Pir Karam Ali Shah, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah, Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Ahmed Khan, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Minister for Information Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kauser and Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2011.
COMMENTS (33)
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Some GB government persons find solace in the 'fact' that the funds did not go out of the GB government's coffers. The "WAPDA" money .... they say ... as if WAPDA has a currency factory, somewhere
@Faheem baig
Yeah right. All is Musharraf's fault. Long live the revenge.
John B - One cannot justify Rs. 20m for laying foundation stone
I don't understand why does an objective news item looks much like a subjective personal opinion. The paper might get a short term attention by this but loose long term serious readers. Every now-and-then I see such opinionated news headlines, what's going on?
@Trimount: Disagree. If only we are all honest and sincere citizens we don't need police, courts and jails, and by extension army. But we are not.
The law and order in PAK is not what it should be, and even in Rawalpindi politicians are shot at.
Law and order cost are essential in functioning of any democracy. Understand that PAK people are upset that general public do not have any protection.
But can PAK afford to loose their elected officials?
PAK people should be prepared to pay for the expenses of democracy. Otherwise, one man dictatorship rule will be cheaper.
Reply to John B: What about security of people? If people of a country a unsecure physicallay, economically, and socially then, what is reason for spending RS 20M for there PM?,,,PM is for and becoz of people, not peopl for PM or because of PM. Whats was need of ground breaking for 2nd time, it had been done earlier in 2005? The report is objective to its best, if goes against ua opinion, it is not fault of reporter, you need to broaden your horizan of analysis!
now the government is planning to impose tax on poor people of GB to fill pockets of politicians and offcials and to spend on protocal and security of so called VIPs....
@tric: Hahahahahahahahahha what a marvelous suggestion
Unaffordable expenses are made because our leaders expect it to be made.
we all are playing blame game.no one is ready to have a self check...indeed its hard to take crticism but one have to take step.
This amount of money could have been spent on building / repairing a couple of much need bridges KKH near Gilgit
Sheer wastage of our tax money!!! These bullet proof cars could have been driven to Chilas and back at much much less cost but then it was our worthless (sorry worthy) PM who had to travel just 1 km!!!!
Just shameful and cruel
Mr. Prime Minister, you will do Pakistan a great favour if you lay foundation stones for projects at your secretariate. There should be a dedicated place in the PM secretariate for such purpose.
There is no such any thread for corrupt Pakistani Politics.then why they carried escorts for PM. but i salute to Shabir Mir for his great work and contribution for saving GB.
Shame on these people, its a disgusting act!
And we residents of Danyore (which is a suburb of Gilgit) wait for hours in morning to cross this old wooden bridge because Gilgit-Baltistan Government dont have funds to complete the RCC bridge!!!What a pity.They don't have funds for basic development projects but to spend millions on lavishness.lets pull the string for the change!! Wajahat Ali Gilgit-Sultanabad
where did such an amount of money come from?
Rs 20 Mn is the cost of democracy!
These figures are small change against:
Losses of IPPs, Power Sector
PIA Losses of Rs100 mn in 3 years
PR need for Rs 2 Bn
Mounting Losses of Pakistan Posts, Pakistan Steel.....
So dear readers, dont over react on such small change!
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This our money and you guys are spending it like a peanuts.
Is this the management? as a top leader? Others Ministers, Governors etc had joined Mr. Gilani too but they did not have bullet proof cars.
I think there should be a Law that any Govt. Official have to use local cars like its in India.
Please highlight this MEDIA.........
Look forward for some good news.
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C-130s to transport 2 cars so as to travel just 1 km?!!
WoW!! Mr Manmohan is literally a pauper in comparision!! But I'm not complaining!
whaaaaaatttttttt?? PM must resign on this allegation.. oh .. i forgot in Pakistan this doesnt happen.. :(
.. No comments.
The expense for security plus waste in the course of security is not ostentatious display. The cost of not having the security is very very high.
One needs to be objective in reporting. The same story can also be written in many different ways.
Whether PAK likes the PM or not is a different issue. But security to all her political leaders are paramount.