ISLAMABAD, March 24: The federal government has asked parliamentarians, bureaucrats, government functionaries and heads of autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies not to engage in direct correspondence with the Indian High Commission.
A circular issued here by the cabinet division said the ministry of foreign affairs had informed the government that there was a tendency among public figures, parliamentarians and government functionaries to engage in direct communication with the Indian High Commission.
This practice encourages the Indian High Commission to respond directly to such communications, bypassing the ministry of foreign affairs, it said. This is “in utter defiance of the procedure and instructions laid down by the government”, it added.
The circular pointed out that it had been made clear in Rule No (56) 1 of the rules of business 1973 that all correspondence with governments of a foreign country or Pakistan diplomatic mission abroad, or a foreign mission in Pakistan or an international organisation, should be routinely conducted through the foreign affairs division. Only this division either through general or special orders allows individuals to conduct direct correspondence in specific conditions or circumstances, it pointed out.
All the ministries, divisions and provincial governments are directed to follow these instructions strictly in letter and spirit. —Online
