Pakistan's austerity car auction falls short, new PM Khan commutes by helicopter

People visit an auction of government owned used cars at the premises of Prime Minister House in Islamabad, Pakistan September 17, 2018. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Lower-than-expected sales in an auction of Pakistani government vehicles have dealt another early setback to new Prime Minister Imran Khan's populist vow to raise quick revenues through cost-cutting, a campaign that has drawn both praise and ridicule.

The auction on Monday raised about 200 million rupees (1.2 million pounds), government official Mohammad Asif told local Geo TV. That is just one-tenth of the amount he had predicted, and only 61 of just over 100 vehicles were sold.