ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stayed at The Plaza, one of the most expensive hotels in New York to attend the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Plaza was among those hotels in New York which were approved by the US Secret Service for the stay and security of the heads of the state. The per night rent of the hotel room was $900 (more than 200,000 rupees).
Prime Minister’s focal person on social media Abubakar Umer said that the Prime Minister was supposed to stay at any US Secret Service approved hotel and The Plaza was among such hotels in New York.
The security of the heads of the state attending the UNGA was the sole responsibility of the US Secret Service and The Plaza was recommended for the stay of PM Shehbaz, he added.
He, however, dispelled the speculations about the PM’s lavish expenses in New York at the cost of the state exchequer and said PM Shehbaz Sharif paid hotel’s rent from his own pocket. The Premier, he said, also bought a commercial flight ticket for New York from his own pocket to attend the UNGA session.
PM’s social media focal person also said that from 2008 to 2018, Shehbaz Sharif has paid all expenses from his own pocket of visits to different foreign countries as Chief Minister of Punjab.
Abubakar Umer said there is no truth in social media propaganda of heavy state expenditures on the visit and stay of PM Shehbaz in New York during the UNGA session last week.
