Gilani advised to sell his suits for flood relief

By Awais Saleem,IANS,

Islamabad : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has been advised to auction off his wardrobe in a bid to generate funds for the flood victims.

The development comes in the wake of an article by eminent columnist Ayaz Amir suggesting that the prime minister should auction his designer suits to raise money for the people hit by floods across the country, Jang daily reported Monday.

In his article, Ayaz, who is a member of the National Assembly, advised President Asif Ali Zardari that the premier should do away with his fondness for impeccable dressing and should divert the money spent on his suits towards the suffering people.

When asked about this, Gilani resoponded that if Ayaz Amir could find a buyer, he was ready to sell his closet. He said if anybody had any illusions about his wardrobe, he was ready to aucion it and raise funds.

Gilani, ever since his youth, has had the reputation of a well-dressed politician. Ever since he has been elected the prime minister, his sense of dressing and the penchant for designer suits have been subjects of constant debate. It has also been reported in some circles that he does not wear a dress twice.

The devastating floods in the country have killed more than 1,600 people and affected some 20 million.