ISLAMABAD, Feb 14: The federal cabinet on Monday observed what was called an 'ethics retreat' by spending the day at the Prime Minister's House.

Talking to journalists, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said such retreats were observed all over the world, adding that in Pakistan it had been organised for the first time in collaboration with the Transparency International.

He said that the programme aimed at providing a relaxed atmosphere to ministers to enable them to ponder over the work of their ministries. He said the members of the cabinet were divided in groups to work independently.

The day's schedule included a lecture organised by the National Accountability Bureau aimed at providing ministers with the first-hand knowledge about its performance and plans.

APP ADDS: Mr Aziz said the participants, including representatives of provincial governments, also discussed how to improve the ethics environment.