ISLAMABAD: After getting approval of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for winding up different sections of Pakistani missions abroad, the ministries have ordered their staff to relinquish their charge in respective foreign capitals and report back to headquarters in Pakistan within the next five days.
According to an official communication sent out by the ministries to foreign missions abroad dated January 2, 2014, the retrenched concerned staff was directed to report back for duty at the headquarters on January 7, 2014 positively.
“In such haste, this decision has made our lives difficult and we are running from pillar to post to complete the arrangements for our departure. But it is simply impossible to do things in such haste,” one of the senior officials deputed in a foreign mission said when contacted, requesting anonymity.
Moreover, they say it is the mid of educational session, if they move in such haste, one year of their school-going kids would be lost. By reducing the strength of foreign missions, the government has abolished dozens of posts of press counsellors, attaches, commercial and labour officers, community welfare officers, assistant private secretary, secretary and staff car drivers to save billions.
The affected officials said it was unfair on part of the government to implement its decision in such haste. INTERNEWS
