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 Prime Minister’s House on Thursday.
Two of the eight animals were purchased by workers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
During the auction, bidders reportedly got into a heated debate. A prospective buyer complained that the buffaloes were not as expensive as the quoted price.
In response, the PM’s House officials said those who did not agree with the quoted prices could leave. They further said that a cash payment had to be made for all final transactions.
Three of the eight animals were sold for Rs 385,000, Rs 300,000 and Rs 330,000, respectively. All of the three animals sold during the auction were bought by PML-N workers.
A buyer said he had bought the buffalo out of affection for his leader Nawaz. “I will keep these animals at my farm house and then gift it to Nawaz Sharif,” he said.
In the first phase of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s austerity drive, 61 out of 102 vehicles put up for sale were sold earlier this month.
The government had later decided to also auction four helicopters 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 were not being used by the Cabinet Division. He further said the eight buffaloes would 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’s House vehicles.
Published in Daily Times, September 28th 2018.
