Nawaz demands explanation for expense incurred on ads, PM House renovation. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed his disapproval over the government departments and public sector organisations’ recent advertisements that appeared in the national media to congratulate him on assuming the office of the prime minister, said a PM Office spokesman.
The spokesman said the newly elected premier has taken strict notice of these adverts and issued directives to relevant authorities to present before him the replies to show-cause notices issued to National Highway and Motorway Police Inspector General and National Bank of Pakistan President for further necessary orders in the matter.
The PM has also issued directives to all ministries, divisions and autonomous bodies to strictly refrain from wasting public money on congratulatory advertisements. “Any violation will be dealt with strict action including recovery of the advertising expenses from the concerned departmental head,” the official added.
The spokesman said the prime minister respects and values the love and affection of his fellow countrymen and supporters and urges them to concentrate on nation building rather than sending out congratulatory messages to him.
Official sources told The Express Tribune that Cabinet Division has issued notification on the directive of the PM to keep all ministries and divisions open on Saturday; so that the new ministers may take charge without undue waste of time and resources.
Nawaz is also expected to review the expenses incurred on the pre-oath taking renovations of Prime Minister House, which was made more luxurious with renewal of the meeting halls, accommodation rooms and the reshuffling of the kitchen staff.
Sources said the PM’s family, whose luggage was shifted to the Prime Minister House earlier in the day, has told the administration that the Sharifs will be bringing their own kitchen staff that will be paid from the premier’s own pocket.
The PM House administration is also directed to avoid undue lighting and to keep the lights and air conditioning units off when the rooms are not in use.
It has also been directed to maintain a daily log of the fuel expenses of PM House vehicles which will be monitored by the premier’s team. It has also been made clear that no extra claim for the cars, fuel, phone usage and health would be accommodated in the government’s account.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2013.
COMMENTS (38)
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Please go through this Ad to know how PM has shelved frivolous spending .PM Secretariat renovation Roshan Prime Minister House or Roshan Pakistan?
Excellent beginning and a very long way to go. I am so proud that my entire family made the right decision to vote for PMLN.
@k. Salim Jahangir: I second on that. Expense report be made public.
Nawaz Sharif is the most mature, talented and experienced politician. He has learnt a lot from his past. I am sure that Pakistan will prosper under his leadership. Allah bless Pakistan.
It's good to see Nawaz Sharif Sahib showing his concern on such issues and I'm sure that the people do see and appreciate it. However, I'm certain that, people of Pakistan would appreciate even greatly if our PM would also on priority basis order the concerned government department to make sure that our Supreme Courts verdict / decision in Asghar Khan case is also implemented and word & spirit and each and every party and individuals named guilty are taken to task . This must include his own family if so the justice demands. How about it, is he upto it?
I condemn the comments against Nawaz Sharif from some jealous people. He has taken oath just a few days back. Give him some time to understand the issues first. These jealous people can never be realistic like their leader.
I think NS has done three good things since winning the elections:
Didn't meddle in the govt-making process of KPK Helped real representatives of Balochistan to form a govt. Kept the cabinet size comparatively smaller and is trying to reduce expenses.While this is a good start, we will need to see what he does over the five year period, not just the first month.
Just come out of raywind
I appreciate the dedication of NS. I am sure that there will be betterment within few months.
Nawaz Sharif is the only hope for Pakistan. All my family members and friends voted for him. Allah bless him.
The 'Khan effect' on Nawaz Shariff is telling. Good of Nawaz Shariff to at least follow ideas of Imran Khan. The whole PMLN party has learnt that they were living in fools paradise till Imran Khan appeared on the political scene and changed the basic perceptions of governance.
This is what happeneds when you have real opposition on the other side. Well done PTI...keep the pressure on!
Hope cm of punjab also follows the good steps of nawaz and stops issuing ads everyday with his handsome photo on it.
I wish and pray that he works with the same spirit for the next 5 years, Good Luck!!
Good initiative.. Long way to go...... keep it up NS, also guide down the power to maintain this action across the country., well in India, for simple parliamentary tea party 35- 40 Lakhs rupees would be spent, what a wastage of public money, can't these MPs/MLAs offer their tea expenses shame on them, that too they want to enjoy from public money., here in India, these expenses should be bared by the individuals they are not poor chaps.
NS is a billionaire ( in dollars ) , who is he fooling?
"PU laptops ceremony: Court questions use of city govt funds on ‘political drama" By Our Correspondent Published: April 12, 2012 This is a tribune news.
Well done!
Well done Nawaz Shareef. Welldone. Keep it up. Keep the Mafiosis and Khooshmadees out of your range. If you continue to please Lord Almighty by following the straight path as you are now doing hopefully, your name will go down in the history of this country to be remembered by all for all time to come. InshaAllah. Those who please the Lord through their good deeds earn glories from the Lord in here and in hereafter. So keep up your good and sensible work and never let the disciples of Shaitaan anywhere near you.
Raiwand mahal or PM house, whats the difference?
Hold your horses folks ; it always begins like this.
something fishyy here ..
Great message to all concerned. This symbolic gesture will go a long way in controlling costs. Well done NS.
Austerity begins at home could have been a better title. Anyway, I am happy to see the seriousness with which NS is taking on his responsibility. Pakistan has several issues to tackle than getting mired into some past skirmishes and waste time, money and resources. The new age wars are going to be fought on economic might and not military might essentially. I wish NS and the whole of Pakistan the best. I can only hope that NS Government will put its faith and weight behind the youth of Pakistan. After all, they are the ones who will change the course of history.
I feel proud voter of PML n
whether someone supports him or not, lets be straight forward NS seems determined & honest to his word uptil now
Hope so this will continue.....
Totally not a NS supporter and I will always support PTI, but I think this is a very good start for NS. Anyone who is doing good for Pakistan will be complimented. However, Sharif needs to take a serious stand on drone attacks.
The Advertisements were issued to please the Prime Minister and to remain in the 'Good Books' of the Prime Minister, but unfortunately, advertisements were backed fired.
Good start. Keep it up NS and the results will start to show. I applaud you. Please review and bring in line expenses of the military and the judiciary with the rest of the civil servants. No more Batman's and no more !st Class travel for the so called superior services. Also let US and UK scholars come to Pak Universities to teach instead of bureaucrats going off to 2-3 years to earn degrees and training. Everything should be done locally including medical treatment, just as Imran Khan was treated in Pakistan.
Good start PMLN! Well begun is half done. Long Live Pakistan