ISLAMABAD: Almost 80 per cent of the ministries and divisions have been issued ‘red letters’ over a ‘critical delay’ in completing the tasks assigned to them under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directives.

Informed sources told Dawn that the red letter — considered to be a final warning and expression of displeasure — was issued to the secretaries of 27 federal ministries/divisions out of a total of 34 ministries at the end of July, seeking completion of the assigned tasks and submission of compliance report to the prime minister by Sept 9.

The letter made it clear that no further extension would be given in the timelines set to complete the tasks.

Considered final warning and expression of displeasure, red letters seek submission of compliance report to prime minister by Sept 9

According to the letter issued to one ministry/division, a copy of which is available with Dawn, it was earlier given 30 days to complete certain tasks, including provision of a list of positions lying vacant at all levels for framing or updating recruitment rules, another list of vacant positions that can be re-designated, rationalised or abolished and yet another list of officers/officials (all type of ex-cadres) eligible for promotion but not being promoted due to various reasons.

The tasks given to the ministry include timely disposal of disciplinary proceedings against officials pending for more than three months and provision of data regarding record/files to be archived and machinery, vehicles, equipment to be condemned and disposed of.

To ensure clarity, two briefing sessions were also convened, the letter says.

Initially, a ‘yellow letter’ was issued to the ministry, noting that half of the time that the ministry had been given for completion of the tasks had elapsed.

“Despite the above stated situation, the task got critically delayed and [is] now lying overdue at your end,” the letter said.

The letter noted that the ‘red letter’ would factor into the performance report of the ministry/division concerned, urging them to complete tasks for which deadlines had not yet elapsed.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2019