As part of the austerity measures adopted by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, Prime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly restricted number of foreign trips of members of the federal cabinet, excluding foreign and trade ministers, to three in a year.
A media report said all members of the federal cabinet including federal and state ministers, advisers and special assistants to the prime minister have also been directed to use the national flag carrier – PIA – for their foreign visits. The directive, to be implemented with immediate effect, also restricts the cabinet members from taking their personal staff along in the tours. However, they will be able to use services of the staff stationed at all international missions of Pakistan. After coming into power, the PTI government had announced to adopt a more austere attitude towards public funds and announced auctioning luxury cars including bulletproof vehicles parked at the PM House.
Published in Daily Times, October 28th 2018.
