ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet is likely to allow Cabinet Division to take over 33 vehicles from Ministry of Foreign Affairs being used for protocol duty of Prime Minister, President and visiting dignitaries, well informed sources told Business Recorder.

The Cabinet Division had moved a summary to the Prime Minister on February 12, 2020, with regard to the placement, usage, repair/maintenance and POL of the high security vehicles, purchased by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

While approving option-Il of the summary, Prime Minister passed the following directions: (i) Cabinet Division shall take up the proposal of the summary pertaining to enhancement of financial power of the Principal Accounting Officer (PAO) in accordance with the scheme of delegation of powers noted under the System of Financial Control & Budgeting-2006, with Finance Division as recommended in the summary.

For modification in ECC decision of September 7, 2016, a summary for the Federal Cabinet shall be submitted which shall include: (i) necessary amendments, for usage of vehicles for the use of VIPs and foreign dignitaries, in the Rules for the use of Staff Cars, 1980, besides defining the term "VIP"; and (ii) transfer of budget/funds available with Intelligence Bureau for repair/maintenance and POL of the vehicles to Cabinet Division. In compliance with the directions of the Prime Minister, the case was taken up with the Finance Division for enhancement of financial powers of the PAO in accordance with the System of Financial Control & Budgeting, 2006. The Finance Division has stated that PAOs have already been delegated 'full powers' within the budget to incur expenditure under the head "Repair and Maintenance (Tpt)."

Cabinet Division moved a summary for approval of the Prime Minister on September 10, 2020, being the Minister-in-Charge of the Cabinet, for proposals before submission to the Federal Cabinet.

The Cabinet Division will take over the charge of 33 vehicles from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will be placed at the disposal of Central Pool of cars, maintained by the Cabinet Division. The Prime Minister's Office (Internal), President's Secretarial and other Ministries / Divisions / Departments may place their requisitions for use of the aforesaid vehicles by the VIPs, as per their periodic requirements, with the Cabinet Division.

The Cabinet Division shall accordingly place the vehicle(s) at the disposal of the requisitioning authority(ies) for appropriate use (Inclusion of sub rule 2a) after rule 28/2) of the Rules for the use of staff cars, 1980) about use of high security vehicles, purchased by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020