PM Imran to board commercial flight for maiden US tour

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan would be boarding a commercial flight instead of a charter plane for his maiden tour to the United States, it emerged on Thursday.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Political Affairs, Naeemul Haque confirmed on Twitter that the premier would be heading to Washington by Qatar Airways.

https://twitter.com/naeemul_haque/status/1151856958737133576

The premier's decision seems to be aimed at cutting the expenditures incurred on foreign trips in continuation of his promised austerity drive.

Before assuming power, Imran Khan had promised that he would be boarding commercial flights instead of PM's plane, however, he used his Pakistan Air Force special plane while visiting Saudi Arabia multiple times.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/pm-imran-flies-to-saudi-arabia-on-special-plane-breaking-austerity-promise-with-pakistanis/

In his maiden visit to the US as prime minister, Imran Khan will travel from July 21-23 on the invitation of President Donald Trump in a bid to reset the strained relations between the two countries.

It was reported earlier that the premier was mulling over staying at the residence of ambassador instead of a swish hotel to save money, however, a final decision in this regard would be made soon.