Islamabad, 21 October, 2023(GNP): The Finance Ministry, in an effort to prevent the misuse of daily allowances funded by taxpayers, has imposed restrictions on payments to senior bureaucrats when traveling abroad on foreign invitations.
Government officials have been claiming daily allowances, even when their expenses are covered by international agencies, foreign governments, lenders, or non-governmental organizations.
This practice has resulted in a substantial drain on public funds. The finance ministry has instructed the Accountant General Pakistan Revenue and Military Accountant General Offices to scrutinize bills according to the new guidelines before making payments.
The ministry clarified that only 30% of the daily allowance is permissible for government officials who have “state guest” status and receive boarding and lodging from their host nation.
Government officials attending fully sponsored events, such as seminars or training programs, are not eligible for the daily allowance, regardless of the duration of their stay.
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The ministry cited regulations from 2005, which allowed partial subsidies for specific short-term seminars, conferences, and symposiums, but clarified that fully funded programs by donor agencies and countries are not covered.
It emphasized that government officials are entitled to a full daily allowance during the first week when the government of Pakistan bears the entire training expenses. However, in cases where the visit is fully funded, the relevant ministries and divisions must clearly state that the visit will be “at no cost to the government” when authorizing such visits.
The notification also reminded that requests to travel abroad for training, meetings, seminars, etc., must adhere to existing rules and be processed by the cabinet division.
