PM Imran directs cabinet not to accept ‘incomplete’ summaries

Advises ministries to ensure following ‘rules of business’ while finalising summaries

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Cabinet Division secretary to return those summaries to the ministries and divisions that lack rules of business, saying such incomplete work results in unnecessary delays in taking decisions and is contrary to good governance.

The PM Office has dispatched a notification to all ministries and divisions advising them to follow the rules of business.

According to the notification, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, secretaries of all ministries and divisions have been directed to guide the concerned ministers regarding implementation of the rules of business to ensure the fundamental principle of rule of law and good governance.

It states that the premier expressed serious concern over sending summaries without following Rule 18 of the 1973 Rules of Business.

It directs the concerned ministries and divisions to cite relevant laws, rules, regulations and instructions and related sections in their summaries before sending them to the cabinet.

The notification states that summaries pertaining to multiple ministries or divisions are being forwarded to the cabinet without the consultation of the Ministry of Interprovincial Coordination, which violates Rules 8, 10 and 14A of the 1973 Rules of Business. “Such summaries must comply with the said rules before being sent to the cabinet.”

Similarly, draft bills, ordinances and orders must comply with the requirements laid out in Rules 18(4) and 18(5) of the rules of business.
“The summaries must have clear explanations regarding issues, should contain necessary legislation and must follow the requirements of Rules 18(2) and 18(5) of the 1973 Rules of Business.

“As per Rule 4(9g), secretaries of the respective ministries and divisions are responsible for ensuring implementation of the rules and providing guidelines to the concerned ministers and heads of divisions.”

Premier Imran has directed the Cabinet Division secretary not to accept any summary forwarded in contravention of the rules and return it to the concerned ministry or division, stating the grounds for rejection.

Imran has also directed the secretary to keep the PM Office updated about all such summaries, which have been returned with objections.