Charity begins at home: PM shelves frivolous spending

Nawaz demands explanation for expense incurred on ads, PM House renovation.

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 8^th, 2013.