ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has quietlyintroduced amendments to the Rules of Business, 1973 giving more powers toadvisers and assistants to the prime minister, a private news channelclaimed.
The report says that the incumbent government has amended subsection 12 ofRule 20, empowering the advisers and special assistant to PM Imran Khan atpar with the ministers, who take oaths under the Constitution of Pakistan.
Following the amendment, the advisers and assistants to the PM, who assumetheir offices without taking oath under the Constitution, arenow authorized to access the sensitive documents, including confidentialsummaries and agreements with other countries, of the state.
Earlier, there was mention in the Rules of Business that only minutes ofthe cabinet meeting will only be shared with the ministers.
(12) The Cabinet Secretary shall circulate to the Ministers a copy of theaboverecord for perusal and return within 24 hours of issue.
The amendment, which was reportedly passed by the federal cabineton September 5, was not mentioned by Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry ashe was briefing the media about the decision taken by the cabinet.
The news channel further claimed that all ministries have been asked tobring 65 copies of the summaries, which will be discussed in the cabinetmeeting, in order to distribute them among the ministers, advisers, andspecial assistants.