The government issued mammoth sum of Rs 21.8 million from national exchequer for the security of Sharif family's members during their appearances before Panamagate Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
All Sharifs appeared in personal capacities. Sources privy to development said as many as 2523 security persons of rangers, Intelligence Bureau (IB), Frontier Corps (FC), traffic and special police were deployed in Islamabad when premier registered appearance before Panamagate JIT on June 15, thus costing national exchequer an overall expenditure of Rs 3.839 million.
Likewise, 2547 personnel from the aforementioned departments were deployed at judicial academy and in its vicinities when Prime Minister's daughter Maryam Nawaz showed up at judicial academy on July 5. Maryam's protocol cost national exchequer a total expense of Rs 2.567 million. Similarly, 13500 security persons were deployed in the federal capital during appearances of PM's sons Hassan Nawaz and Hussain Nawaz, Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sharif and Federal Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar whereas collective expenditure of Rs 13.5 million were incurred on security arrangements.
Inside-aware further revealed that special directives were issued from Prime Minister's house directly to law enforcement agencies for beefing up security arrangements in Islamabad during appearances of Sharif family's members. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, while expressing official stance, said that it was responsibility of government to provide protocol. "Protocol is not demanded. The government provides it in some exceptional and important cases," asserted Sanaullah.