The government of Pakistan has placed several restrictions on ministers and government officials travelling abroad.

The Cabinet Division, in an official foreign travel policy document, directed all government officials to obtain exemption from the Austerity Committee of the Ministry of Finance for non-obligatory visits that are to be funded, wholly or in part, by the government.

“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 stated.

The officials were urged to make teleconferencing the first preference for visits to reduce travelling and lodging expenditure of the government.

“Officers on visit abroad shall not stay in five-star hotels. No support staff shall accompany on foreign visits; if required, Pakistan’s missions abroad can be approached to provide support staff,” it read.

The documents stated that a minister or division setting for a foreign visit would have to seek permission from the prime minister.

“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.”

The president, chief justice, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, services chiefs, senators, members of National Assembly, federal secretaries, additional secretaries and ambassadors will enjoy first class travel facilities, while the prime minister, chairman senate and speaker National Assembly will be entitled to business class.

The foreign ministers, federal ministers, ministers of state are also authorised to travel in business class.

Meanwhile, officials of federal government have been allowed to travel in economy class for foreign trips.