Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif imposed a ban on the approval of summaries from Federal Cabinet through circulation except in ‘unavoidable’ emergency situations.

In a letter sent to secretaries of ministries and divisions, the Cabinet Division has advised them to avoid sending summaries for approval through circulation in future.

“The PM has observed that it is now becoming a routine for the ministries/divisions to move summaries for approval of Cabinet through circulation at the last moment, which is not a recommended course of procedure,” states the letter, a copy of which is available with Daily Times.

There are three methods for disposal of cases referred to the Federal Cabinet under Rule of Business 1973: through discussion in cabinet meetings, by circulation amongst ministers and by discussion at a meeting of a committee of the cabinet.

Talking to Daily Times, a senior bureaucrat said: “In routine, the cases should be decided in formal meetings after due deliberation. However, the cases can also be sent to cabinet committees constituted for specific purposes or cases. There is no illegality in approval through circulation. However, it should not be opted as a routine practice as this provision is only for urgent cases.”

The letter, issued by a joint secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat, further directs all officers concerned to comply with the orders in letter and spirit.

However, a former federal minister said that the directive was impractical. “How can the cabinet pass all summaries during its meetings, which are only held once or twice every year,” he said.

Published in Daily Times, July 22^nd, 2017.