Pakistan government on Monday chalked out a new foreign travel policy, placing restrictions on ministers and government officials travelling abroad, ARY News reported.
Ednews informs that the Cabinet Division issued the foreign travel policy to regulate overseas visits while emphasising austerity measures and accountability.
Sources told ARY News that the policy imposes a ban on simultaneous foreign trips by ministers and secretaries, except under unavoidable circumstances. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce have been exempted from this ban.
The officials were encouraged to opt for teleconferencing over in-person foreign visits whenever possible, with a strict prohibition on staying in five-star accommodations.
Approval for official visits by federal ministers, advisors, and others must be sought from the prime minister’s office, according to the policy.