Taking action on the news report of 24NewsHD regarding financial crunch in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prime minister’s austerity committee has recommended to decrease the number of country’s missions abroad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
According to sources, the PM House has written a letter to the Foreign Ministry in this regard asking it to send its suggestion (plan) within two weeks.
The sources said that the PM austerity committee recommended to cut the number of Pakistan’s embassies and consulates abroad suggesting that it would result in slashing country’s expenditure on these missions by 15%.
The letter recommended to close down some missions and lay off some officers and staff appointed there in a bid to reduce expenditure.
Currently, there are total 113 embassies and consulates of Pakistan across the globe.
It is to be noted that the Foreign Ministry is working with half work force already.
24NewsHD posted a report about the financial crisis in the Foreign Ministry on Thursday.
According to the report, the foreign missions have fallen short of funds, hampering diplomatic work and leaving the diplomats in the lurch.
The diplomats have been facing the embarrassment due to nonpayment of rents of their residences abroad. The insiders said that most of the embassies have stopped working due to non-availability of funds.
The passport staff posted in the American and European missions have been without salaries too, they added.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that the authorities were looking into the matter.
Delay in payment of the international diplomatic missions was due to a system, the official said, adding that the missions in Europe and the United States would re-check the problems that were pointed out.
Reporter Mohsinul Mulk