Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday withdrew permissions for foreign visits by federal ministers, advisers, and relevant officials until the completion of the election process.

In a notification, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, the Cabinet Division said: “No leave for any foreign visit shall be granted till the completion of the election process and the assumption of office by the new government”.

“I am directed to convey that the prime minister has been pleased to withdraw all permissions for foreign visits, official or private, granted to the federal ministers, advisors and special assistants to the PM, and all federal officers with immediate effect,” it stated.

“All federal secretaries are requested to ensure compliance of the directions,” the notification, issued by the cabinet senior joint secretary, added.

The directive comes less than two weeks ahead of the forthcoming general elections. The incumbent interim setup is in its final days before transitioning authority to the incoming government after the Feb 8 polls.

Earlier this month, the caretaker federal cabinet had approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army and civil armed forces for the peaceful holding of the elections.

PM Kakar had also constituted a seven-member committee for the smooth conduct of the elections as well as overseeing their security arrangements.

A day ago, the premier had said the general election on February 8 would bring political stability to the country.

The prime minister, in an interview with a private television channel, had said that the new government would work to achieve political and economic stability.

He had added that his government successfully achieved most of the targets set by it and a white paper would be issued to enlist those successes.

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