The Finance Division has reprimanded federal ministries and divisions for repeatedly violating official rules while hiring private properties for government offices and warned that no ex-post facto approvals will be granted in future, Business Recorder reported, citing an official memorandum.
The Finance Division stated that several departments had been bypassing established procedures by submitting hiring cases only after audit objections, despite clear instructions issued since October 2001.
The Division said it had found instances where ministries entered into lease agreements with private landlords at rental rates exceeding those permitted by the Ministry of Housing and Works, without obtaining prior approval from the Finance Division’s Regulation Wing.
“It has been observed that ministries, divisions, departments, and organizations are not adhering to these instructions in letter and spirit,” the memorandum noted. It added that cases involving post-facto approvals were being forwarded after audit objections, in violation of the Finance Division’s directives.
The circular reiterated that all departments must strictly follow procedures for renting office accommodation and avoid entering into lease agreements with rates higher than those issued by the Ministry of Housing and Works. It directed that all such cases require prior approval from the Finance Division’s Regulation Wing.
The Finance Division warned that any incomplete proposals would be returned without consideration at the initial stage.
