Rs25.603bn spent on foreign missions employees in three years

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed Wednesday that during last three years Rs 25.603 billion was spent on the employees at Pakistani missions in different countries.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the House during Question Hour that out of the stated amount Rs 8.584 billion was spent on employees at foreign missions in 2013-14 in terms of employees related expenses, rent for residential buildings and education subsidy.

During 2014-15, the Advisor said the amount spent in these categories at the foreign missions was Rs 8.244 billion and the expenditures incurred on employees at missions abroad during 2015-16 stood at Rs 8.775 billion.

Answering a supplementary question, Sartaj Aziz said the government was pursuing a comprehensive policy of border management at Pakistani border with Afghanistan. "This exercise would curtail cross-border movement as well as smuggling of narcotics."

Answering a query about his visit to India and treatment meted out to the Pakistani delegation, he said it was important for Pakistan to participate in the Heart of Asia Conference as it was meant for peace and progress in Afghanistan.

He dispelled the impression that any humiliating attitude was meted out to him or the delegation except a press conference where the media people were not allowed due to security reasons. "I was given proper protocol and no indecent incident occurred."

Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan's overture to participate in the conference was appreciated by other participating countries as Pakistan tried its best that its bilateral relations with India do not impact the proceedings of a multi-lateral conference.

He said Pakistan always desired peace in Afghanistan and progress of Afghan people, therefore, it could not leave that event unattended.