The standing committee of the Punjab cabinet reportedly approved about Rs 88 million to refurbish the helipad used by prime minister Shehbaz Sharif at his Model Town mansion in Lahore, despite inflated claims of an austerity drive.
According to a report published today, the amount of Rs. 88 million will be transferred from a block allocation of the home department into the Asaan Assignment Account of the Lahore Deputy Commissioner (DC), pending completion of all legal and regulatory requirements.
The upgrade cost for the helipad was authorised during the meeting and will be paid for “in principle” from a block allocation of the home ministry.
At the second meeting of the caretaker SCCLO on March 22, 2023, the deputy commissioner also provided an approximate cost estimate for the pavement, control room, lighting system, generators, and civil works for the helipad, which was approved by the SCCLO.
Yet a number of high-ranking officials are dubious about this expenditure, which they view as exorbitant given the country’s poor financial state.
Opponents argue that it is wasteful spending, particularly in light of the government’s current efforts to obtain financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while enforcing system-wide austerity measures.
