Federal Govt suspends foreign study tours for bureaucrats amid economic pressures

The federal government has suspended the foreign study excursions of senior bureaucrats who are enrolled in the National Management Course (NMC) as a result of the ongoing financial crisis in Pakistan.

With the approval of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Establishment Division has issued a notification stating that foreign study tours under the National Management Courses are to be immediately suspended.

Section Officer, Training Wing, Establishment Division, has formally informed Rector National School of Public Policy Lahore about the decision of the prime minister.

The NSPP had previously requested authorization for these foreign study excursions of NMC participants. However, the response indicated that the Prime Minister has banned foreign study tours with an immediate effect.

The NSPP has been directed by the Establishment Division to cancel the foreign excursions for the 121^st NMC participants and refrain from organizing such tours in the future. This decision is being made in light of the fact that the country is financially constrained and must conserve foreign exchange, according to sources.

The NMC, which is comprised of Grade-20 officers from various service units, has historically offered bureaucrats the opportunity to acquire new skills and perspectives to address a variety of issues. They have also had the effect of fostering the use of technology to address local problems and developing new approaches to problems. These opportunities for engagement in the global market have been closed, however, as a result of the current economic challenges.