ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani premier's house milked its livestock reserves Thursday as dozens gathered for a buffalo auction in the capital Islamabad, in the latest push for Prime Minister Imran Khan's highly publicised austerity drive.
A total of eight buffalos were auctioned off for nearly 2.3 million rupees ($19,000) at the prime minister's residence, as Khan's new administration aims to cut expenditure and increase revenue collection to boost Pakistan's struggling economy.
"The auction was not just good. It was very, very good," said government official Javaid Iqbal, who oversaw the sale.
An auctioneer shouted prices to a crowd carrying stacks of rupees in the residence's backyard, where the shiny, black buffalos for sale were tied to nearby trees.
The animals were purchased in 2014 by the government of ousted premier Nawaz Sharif, with supporters of the erstwhile leader flocking to the auction and paying several times the market price for a piece of history.
"I bought a buffalo for 300,000 rupees, which is three times higher than the market price. But I am happy because it's a memory tied to my leader Nawaz Sharif," Malik Tayyib Nawaz told AFP.
Sharif -- who was removed from office last year by the Supreme Court for alleged corruption -- was freed from prison earlier this month after being jailed weeks ahead of July elections.
However, others at the auction complained of the high prices.
"A common man like me cannot afford to buy them," said Zameer Khan, who travelled to the event with the hope of netting a buffalo but left empty handed.
Khan was elected in July on promises to cut excessive government spending and build an Islamic welfare state in the impoverished South Asian nation.
As part of the ongoing austerity drive, Pakistan has auctioned off dozens of luxury vehicles belonging to the prime minister's house and also launched a crowdfunding campaign to build a dam in the country's north.
Pakistan PM's house auctions buffalos for austerity
Pakistan PM's house auctions buffalos for austerity
- A total of eight buffalos were auctioned off for nearly 2.3 million rupees
- As part of the ongoing austerity drive, Pakistan has auctioned off dozens of luxury vehicles belonging to the PM's house
Pakistan police say 27 cops killed in 134 attacks in restive Bannu district in 2025
- Bannu is a restive district in northwestern Pakistan where militants frequently attack law enforcers
- Police say at least 20 drone attacks by militants killed nine civilians, injured 19 cops during the year
PESHAWAR: Police in Pakistan’s northwestern Bannu district said this week that at least 27 police personnel were killed in 134 attacks while 53 militants were killed during various security operations in the volatile area during the year, as Islamabad grapples with a surge in militancy.
Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province is one of Pakistan’s most dangerous districts, where militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) frequently target law enforcers in attacks.
Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday that at least 134 “terrorist attacks” were recorded in Bannu district during 2025 that targeted police stations, posts, checkpoints, police mobiles and police parties.
“As a result of these attacks, 27 police personnel were martyred and 79 were injured,” a statement issued by Bannu Police said on Wednesday.
It said at least 168 intelligence-based operations were conducted by police across the district during the year, in which 105 militants were arrested and 65 were killed.
Khan informed media that militants carried out 20 drone attacks targeting police installations and civilian areas in 2025, killing nine civilians and injuring 19 police personnel.
“However, following the installation of an anti-drone system in Bannu district on Jul. 18, 2025, the situation improved significantly,” the statement said. “More than 300 drone attacks were thwarted, and four drones were struck/spoofed.”
He said the Bannu police force has been equipped with drones, anti-drone guns, sniper rifles, armored personnel carriers (APCs), thermal imaging systems, tactical helmets and bulletproof vehicles.
“Bannu police reiterates its resolve to continue its struggle to maintain law and order in the district, completely eliminate terrorism and protect the lives and property of the public,” the statement concluded.
Pakistan blames the Afghan government for facilitating TTP attacks inside its territory, a charge Kabul denies. The surge in militant attacks has strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, leading to deadly border clashes in October that saw dozens killed and several wounded on both sides.
