Government officials revealed a new federal ministerial foreign travel policy.
This policy seeks to optimize and standardize international trips while prioritizing frugality and responsibility.
The policy emphasizes the need to obtain approval from the austerity committee for visits that are not absolutely necessary, and requires that all the specifics of foreign visits be disclosed to the Foreign Ministry.
As to the documents, ministers and secretaries are prohibited from making international visits at the same time, unless there are unavoidable circumstances that need them to travel together. However, authorization from the prime minister is required in such cases.
In order to obtain an exemption, the minister or relevant division must obtain permission from the prime minister.
Embassy officers have been actively urged to participate in conferences held overseas, while government officers are only permitted to travel abroad for essential reasons. Unless there is a compelling reason, one must obtain approval from the austerity committee for any travel.
In addition, it is forbidden to stay in luxury hotels on trips abroad, and government officials are not allowed to be accompanied by support workers during their travels.
Moreover, teleconferencing has been suggested as a substitute for overseas trips wherever possible, and visits by ministers, ministers of state, advisors, and assistants require consent from the prime minister. Likewise, secretaries, assistant secretaries, and divisional in-charges would also need authorization from the prime minister to travel abroad.
The minister in charge will grant authorization for international travel to delegations consisting of three officers and Grade 20 officers. However, for bigger groups, approval must be obtained from the prime minister through the ministries of finance and foreign affairs.
In addition, ministers, ministers of state, advisers, and assistants are restricted to a maximum of three trips to other nations annually, with the potential for an increase in exceptional situations. Nevertheless, the travel limitations do not apply to the foreign and commerce ministries. However, if one want to visit international financial institutions, they must obtain a No-Objection Certificate from the Economic Affairs Division.
Based to the documents, specific individuals such as the president, chief judge of Pakistan, senators, MNAs, federal secretaries, ambassadors, the chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the services chiefs, would have the privilege of traveling in first class. The prime minister, Senate chairman, the National Assembly speaker, federal ministers, and ministers of state are eligible to travel in business class.
Furthermore, only officers associated with federal government agencies will be permitted to travel in economy class. Furthermore, it is advisable to choose PIA flights for any international travel, as stated in the paperwork. Furthermore, the ministers are prohibited from undertaking any travel when the National Assembly or Senate sessions are in progress.
Furthermore, it is now obligatory to provide the Foreign Ministry with comprehensive information regarding any trips abroad within a 15-day timeframe. Additionally, explicit directives have been issued to refrain from engaging with nations that lack diplomatic relations.
According to the instructions, it is permissible to have official and semi-official connections with Taiwan as long as they adhere to the ‘One China Policy’. However, obtaining special approval is now a need for any contacts with Korea. Prior authorization must be obtained from the domestic and foreign ministries in order to visit India.
However. The memo stated that the hosting of foreign corporations has been discouraged, and only specialists and advisors will be allowed to attend during bilateral conversations.