Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif will personally bear all expenses of her visit to the United Kingdom.
Bukhari made the statement in a post on X. She said Maryam Nawaz had already directed officials to ensure that she would pay the costs of her London trip herself.
The minister also criticized political opponents for raising questions about the visit before its completion.
Expenses Will Be Calculated After Visit
Bukhari said government expenses follow a set legal and financial procedure.
She explained that officials first calculate the total cost of an official trip. The concerned person then makes the required payment through the prescribed process.
She rejected demands for an immediate final cost while the visit was still underway.
The minister compared the process with digital payment services and said government accounting does not work through an instant calculation and payment system.
Bukhari Accuses Opponents of Propaganda
Azma Bukhari accused political opponents of launching a campaign against the chief minister without knowing the facts.
She said the criticism began before Maryam Nawaz returned to Pakistan.
Bukhari also targeted political figures who, she claimed, had previously spent public money for personal purposes.
She questioned their right to criticize the chief minister over the London visit.
Minister Defends Maryam Nawaz
The Punjab information minister said people facing corruption allegations should avoid making accusations against others.
She warned her political opponents that they should be prepared for further political accountability.
Bukhari maintained that Maryam Nawaz had already made her position clear about covering the expenses of her UK visit.
The issue has drawn political attention, particularly over the cost of the chief minister’s London travel and the use of government resources.
