President to fly in 1st class, PM and his ministers in business class on foreign tours

The federal government has issued a new travel advisory for ministers and government officials, restricting them from extravagant spending on foreign trips.

The aim is to cut costs on overseas travel and revive the struggling economy, in line with the government's austerity measures.

The president, Chief Justice, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, services chiefs, senators, members of National Assembly, federal secretaries, additional secretaries and ambassador will travel in the first class.

While other high-ranking officials like the Prime Minister, Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly, and federal ministers will fly in business class, as per the government notification. 

All other government employees, including those from affiliated departments, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, and corporations under ministerial control, will fly in economy class.

The new travel advisory barred government officials from staying in five-star hotels. It also restricted foreign trips to essential travel only, with officials flying in economy class.

For non-essential government-funded trips, officials must seek prior approval from the Ministry of Finance's austerity committee (established in February) or any future designated austerity authority.

Moreover, no staff would accompany the government officers on foreign trips, if assistance is required, they can seek support from Pakistan's embassies or consulates abroad.

Teleconferencing will be the preferred method of communication for partially or fully government-funded trips.

All planned foreign trips, regardless of who approves them, must be reported in advance to both the Foreign Affairs Division and Pakistani missions abroad.

Under the new rules, cabinet members, federal and additional secretaries will require the PM’s approval for foreign travel. Lower-ranking officials, below grade 20, must seek permission from their minister and secretaries.

For delegations larger than three people, the premier's approval is required via the Foreign Office. However, PM can bypass the process of approval summaries going through specific departments in emergency situations.

Foreign Ministry officials can approve delegations of up to five members for foreign trips. However, if the limit exceeds, permission will be sought from the PM.

Both a minister and secretary from the same ministry cannot travel abroad simultaneously except in unavoidable circumstances. If such an exception is needed, the ministry must get the PM’s permission and provide a detailed justification.

Pakistani embassies will be prioritised to represent the country at meetings abroad, whenever possible. A clear explanation must be mentioned in approval summaries in cases of unavoidable in-person visits to foreign countries.

High-level officials will not accept offers for overseas visits from foreign governments and international agencies, except the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). 

Trip summaries with funding details, including previous trips in the last year must be submitted to the PM 14 days prior through finance and foreign ministries for approval.