Islamabad, Sept 11 : Newly-elected Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has reportedly decided to cut down the size of entourage that would accompany him on his foreign visits. The move is seen as a cost-cutting exercise in the wake of the deep economic crisis Pakistan is going through.

According to the Daily Times, Zardari will also take a usual commercial flight on foreign visits instead of a separate aircraft.

Besides, the new President will also cut down on the number of media persons accompanying him to foreign trips.

It is likely that the Pakistan government will no longer bear the expense on media teams, and any media outlet that wishes to cover the visit is likely to be asked to spend its own money, so that the taxpayer is not burdened, as has been happening for the last 35 years, said the paper.

Later this month, when he flies to New York, Zardari’s maiden visit as President of Pakistan, for the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, he will be accompanied by a small number of relevant people and he would be taking a regular, commercial PIA flight.

Over the years, foreign visits by governmental heads have incurred hefty costs to the national exchequer due to the extravagantly large size of the accompanying contingents, added the paper. (ANI)