Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi bore all expenses of his visit to London personally, BBC Urdu reported on Tuesday while quoting the Prime Minister House.

The top leadership of the PML-N had met in the British capital recently for a key consultative meeting to decide both the party’s and the government’s position on what steps to take next. PM Abbasi and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had both flown to London on Sunday to meet ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Abbasi had reportedly left for London without any announcement and protocol. Subsequently, the development had stirred a controversy on social media as a large number of people accused the prime minister and other PML-N leaders of using taxpayer money to make the trip.

The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), for example, accused Abbasi of using "taxpayer money to visit a disqualified person". PTI MNA Murad Saeed had also submitted an adjournment motion before the National Assembly to discuss the matter.

When questioned by reporters on his arrival in London, Abbasi had said he was visiting London in his personal capacity and had taken a day's leave from his office in order to attend the meeting.