Federal ministers, public officers banned from staying in five-star hotels

The federal government has issued a new travel policy for ministers and government officials, banning them from staying in five-star hotels during foreign tours.

According to the official documents of the cabinet division, the federal minister and public officers must obtain permission first to travel abroad from the austerity committee.

“The federal ministers, ministers of state, advisers and assistants will be authorised to make three visits to foreign countries in a year. In special circumstances, these visits may be extended,” the documents read.

However, the ban was not imposed on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce.

The document said that all divisions must take a no-objection certificate from the Economic Affairs Division for visits to any international financial institution.

“Support staff are also banned from travelling abroad. A minister and his secretary are not allowed to travel abroad at the same time. They may be allowed to travel abroad simultaneously in inevitable circumstance,” it added. 

Business class travel facility will be given to the prime minister, chairman senate, speaker National Assembly, foreign ministers, federal ministers, and ministers of state.

However, the president, chief justice, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, services chiefs, senators, members of National Assembly, federal secretaries, additional secretaries and ambassador are allowed to travel in first class.

Moreover, federal government officers are allowed to travel in economy class for foreign trips.

The document stated that all high officials will consider Pakistan International Airline (PIA) for foreign tours.

“It is mandatory to submit all details of foreign trips to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 15 days,” it added.

“It is mandatory to obtain permission from the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of External Affairs to visit India. Hosting foreign companies should be discouraged. Experts, and consultants will be allowed to visit only during bilateral discussions.”