PM Imran restricts foreign trips of govt officials

ISLAMABAD: After limiting the foreign tours of the federal cabinet members, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday put restrictions on foreign trips of the government officers.     

In pursuance of his government’s policy of adopting austerity measures, PM Imran Khan has decided to authorize embassies to sign pacts on behalf of the government. Now, the ambassadors can sign accords instead of government officials.

All the ministries and the divisions are informed about the PM’s decision. As per new directions, the ministries will be responsible to provide relevant material to the concerned ambassador.

The federal government officials were also directed to not accept any invitation on their own. The government officers are bound to inform the Foreign Office and PM House ahead of any foreign tour.

Read More: No first-class air travel luxury for PM, President in Naya Pakistan

The PTI government had banned the discretionary use of state funds and first-class air travel by officials and leaders, including the president and the prime minister on August 25.

The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“It has been decided that all the top government officials, including the president, prime minister, chief justice, senate chairman, speaker national assembly and the chief ministers will travel in club/business,” Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary had told media.

He said that the discretionary allocation of funds by the prime minister and the president and other officials was also stopped by the Cabinet.

The prime minister also decided to stop using special plane for foreign visits or domestic travelling and use business class.