20000321

Austerity measures

to trim Pak Missions'

expenditures taken

ISLAMABAD: The Government has taken various austerity measures to trim the expenditures incurred by Pakistan missions abroad.

The measures taken by the government will be enforced in all Pak Missions aboard with immediate effect, official handout said here on Monday.

Measures initiated by the government are:

Ñ The existing ban on purchase of vehicles will continue. In exceptional case where relaxation is given, only locally assembled/manufactured vehicles in the respective countries shall be purchased by the Missions according to entitlement. Henceforth no Mission will purchase Mercedez Benz, BMW and other luxury cars.

Ñ Chief Executive's directive conveyed vide Cabinet Division's letter No 1/2/2000-Imp-II, dated 18.2.2000 imposing restrictions on Ministers/MOS and equivalent and Federal Secretaries and equivalent not to travel by 1st class and not to stay in hotel suits during official visits abroad, will also be applicable on Foreign Minister, Foreign Secretary, Ambassadors, Pakistan High Commissioners and other functionaries of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ñ Government officials/delegations visiting abroad shall bear their own expenditure. No Mission will incur any expenditure on visiting delegations.

Ñ Hiring of Limousines and other luxury cars by the Missions for visiting delegations will be completely banned. The Missions will arrange transport to the visiting Ministers only according to their entitlement. In case of visits of large delegations, Coasters/Vans may be arranged.ÑAPP