A parliamentary panel is set to dig into expenditure incurred during the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Pakistan in February last, to take stock of the government's claim of taking strict austerity measures. In a meeting scheduled for March 21, the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat will get a briefing on the expenditures from the concerned officials in order to know whether the arrangements were somewhat different from those of the previous governments.
The agenda of the committee meeting also includes a briefing on the expensive vehicles which were rented at the cost of the taxpayers' money for the protocol of the crown prince. Besides, a briefing and discussion will take place on the details and status and working of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) after the 18th Amendment, including its assets, expenditure and profits.
As per the notice, in addition to any other item permitted to be discussed by the chair, a briefing and discussion on development schemes in Pakistan that were identified by the senators in the last six years (2012-2018) as well as their current status will take place.
On Feb 17 last, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived at the Nur Khan Air Base amid heightened security arrangements in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
It was the crown prince's first state visit to Pakistan since becoming heir to the Saudi throne in 2017. The trip included the signing of memoranda of understanding for investment cooperation, meetings and a reception. The crown prince was also conferred Pakistan's highest civil award - Nishan-e-Pakistan - during a ceremony held at the President House.
The Senate committee scheduled for Mar 21 will also receive a briefing on details on a recent auction of vehicles in the PM House. On September 17 last, 61 out of the 102 luxury and surplus vehicles parked in the lawns of the PM House were auctioned off as part of Prime Minister Khan's austerity drive.
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