Government Officials Drawing Allowances from Pakistan for Foreign-Funded Tours and Courses: An Irregularity Uncovered

Government officers have been found in violation of regulations as they draw daily allowances and other entitlements from the public exchequer even for foreign trips, short courses, and events entirely funded by foreign governments or international agencies, according to official Finance Ministry documents.

The Finance Ministry emphasized that the Account General Pakistan Revenue and Military Accountant General Offices must provide instructions to all account offices to meticulously review bills before making payments. Furthermore, all ministries and divisions have been advised to adhere rigorously to the applicable rules and instructions.

The Finance Ministry pointed out that, in certain instances, government officers were claiming daily allowances and other perks from the public exchequer for foreign travel and short courses that are fully financed by foreign governments or international agencies. This discrepancy appears to stem from a misunderstanding or incorrect interpretation of the applicable regulations.

The admissibility of daily allowances is contingent on specific conditions, as specified below:

1. State Guests: For government officials designated as “State Guests” by the host country, who receive boarding and lodging, 30 percent of the daily allowance is permissible, per para-5 (iv) of Division’s O.M No.1 (10)R.10/2006-259 dated 02.08.2023.
2. Fully Funded Courses: Government officials attending fully funded training courses and seminars are not considered “State Guests” unless the host country designates them as such.
3. Fully Funded Programs: In the case of fully funded training, seminars, symposia, international conferences, and programs by donor agencies/countries, the policy instructions contained in Finance Division’s O.M.No.F.3(24)R-10/04/313/05 dated 16-06-2005 are applicable.
4. Expenses Borne by Government of Pakistan: Government officials are entitled to full DA during the 1st week and a fixed monthly subsistence allowance for the rest of the training period when the government of Pakistan entirely covers the training costs.
5. Fully Funded Visits: For visits entirely funded, relevant Ministries/Divisions should explicitly mention in the approval notification that the visit will be “at no cost to the government.”

Requests for permission to attend overseas training/meetings/seminars are processed by the Cabinet Division in line with instructions issued by the Cabinet Division. Cabinet Division has issued the most recent instructions through O.M.No.F.9-148/2002-Min-lI, dated 26-10-2018 (Annex-V), as amended through O.M No.F.9-148/2002-Min-lI, dated 07-10-2021.