Panama hearings: Sharif, kin cost millions to govt

The Asian Age.  | Shafqat Ali

World, Asia

A collective expenditure of Rs 1.3 million were incurred on security arrangements.

Nawaz Sharif (Photo: AP)

Islamabad: The Pakistan government issued millions from national exchequer for the security of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s family members during their appearances before Panamagate Joint Investigation Team (JIT), media reports said on Thursday.

All members of the Sharif family appeared in personal capacities but as many as 2,523 security persons of rangers, Intelligence Bureau (IB), Frontier Corps (FC), traffic and special police were deployed in Islamabad during their appearance before the Panamagate JIT on June 15, thus costing national exchequer an overall expenditure of Rs 3.8 million. Likewise, 2,547 personnel from the aforementioned departments were deployed at judicial academy and in its vicinities when Prime Minister’s daughter Maryam Nawaz showed up at judicial academy on July 5. Maryam’s protocol cost national exchequer a total of Rs 2.5 million.

Several security persons were deployed in the federal capital during appearances of the PM’s sons Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, Punjab chief minister Shabaz Sharif and Federal finance minister Senator Ishaq Dar. A collective expenditure of Rs 1.3 million were incurred on security arrangements.

Officials said directives were issued from the PM’s house to the law enforcement agencies to beef up security in Islamabad during appearances of the Sharif family members.

Read more...