ISLAMABAD: Eight buffaloes, allegedly bought to cater to the ‘gastronomic requirements’ of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, were sold for Rs 2.3 million in an auction at the PM House on Thursday.
Two of the eight animals were purchased by workers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
It was reported that during the auction, bidders reportedly got into a heated debate, as a prospective buyer complained that “the buffaloes were not as expensive as the quoted ask price”.
Following that, PM House officials said, “Those who did not agree with the quoted prices could leave,” adding that “cash payments need to be made for all final transactions”.
Three of the eight animals were sold for Rs3,85,000, Rs3,00,000 and Rs3,30,000, respectively. All of the three animals sold during the auction were bought by PML-N workers.
A buyer Haji Imdad Ali told media that he bought the animal out of affection for Nawaz Sharif, adding that he will gift it to him.
In the first phase of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s austerity drive, 61 out of 102 vehicles were put up for sale earlier this month. Moreover, the government also decided to put four helicopters to auction under the use of the Cabinet Division.
In a message on Twitter, PM Imran’s Special Assistant for Political Affairs Naeemul Haque said, “The surplus helicopters to be sold are not being used by the Cabinet Division.” He further said, “The eight buffaloes will be auctioned as well.”
PM Imran, in his first address to the nation, had emphasised on cost-cutting for the government expenditure and as a measure had announced the auction of surplus PM House vehicles.
