Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought details from the federal government regarding the expenses incurred on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his family and personal servants during a recent visit to New York.
The LHC judge, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, on Monday passed this order on a petition moved by Barrister Javed Iqbal Jafree. The petitioner had contended that the PM’s foreign tours, his stay at expensive hotels and other privileges enjoyed by him, his family and domestic servants were extravagant and a burden on the national exchequer.
In his petition Jafree had sought 10 reliefs but the registrar office objected to his plea and directed him to file separate petition for each relief. Later, the case was fixed as an objection case, upon which Justice Mansoor Ali Shah observed that the matter was of great public importance.
The petitioner alleged that the premier travelled along with his family and retinue on a special plane, stayed at expensive hotels, made business deals for personal development and shifted public money abroad. He also requested the court to put the PM’s and his family members’ names on Exit Control List.
Barrister Jafree also requested that a mental examination of the prime minister should be carried out as “he conveyed a bad image of the country by serving people local food items in foreign counties”.
After initial arguments by the petitioner, Justice Shah directed the federal government to submit details regarding the expenses on the PM’s recent visit. The proceedings were adjourned till November 6.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2014.
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