ISLAMABAD:

The government has deferred approval of a budget exceeding Rs5.4 billion for payments to foreign consultants hired to prepare policies and investment-grade documents aimed at attracting foreign investment from Gulf countries.

Approval for the funds, mainly for American consultancy firm AT Kearney and any other new foreign consultancy hiring, has been sought through a development scheme. The Central Development Working Party (CDWP), headed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, this week postponed approval of the "enhancement of capacity of federal government entities in preparation of policy, programmes and projects" by foreign consultants.

The funding is proposed from the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), although no asset will be created using the Rs5.4 billion of publ

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