'Over Rs30 million spent on PM’s recent trip to New York'

Govt tells LHC that fund was approved by Parliament in response to petition accusing PM of overspending on tours

LAHORE: The federal government told the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday that Rs30.7 million were spent on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's recent trip to New York.

The deputy attorney general told the court that Parliament had approved a fund for the premier's foreign tours.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah of LHC, during a previous hearing, had warned the government of the imposition of a fine if details of the visit’s expenses were not submitted in court.

The judge observed that the court would see whether it has the jurisdiction to question the funds approved by Parliament.

Barrister Javed Iqbal Jafree had filed a petition, challenging the foreign tours of the prime minister along with his family and help.

The petitioner alleged that the premier travelled along with his family on a special plane, stayed at expensive hotels, made business deals for personal developments and shifted public money abroad. He also requested the court to put the prime minister's and his family members’ names on the Exit Control List (ECL).

Barrister Jafree also requested that a mental examination of the prime minister be carried out as “he conveyed a bad image of the country by serving people local food items in foreign countries”.

The hearing was adjourned for a week as the petitioner’s counsel failed to appear before court on Thursday.