{
  "id": 3892096,
  "title": "Shehbaz warns ministries over lax governance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/shehbaz-warns-ministries-over-lax-governance",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T18:14:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Express Tribune - Pakistan",
    "slug": "the-express-tribune-pakistan",
    "url": "https://tribune.com.pk/story/2626154/shehbaz-warns-ministries-over-lax-governance"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed grave concern over federal ministries' failure to adhere to his directives, leading to the issuance of instructions to 41 federal secretaries and department heads. The controversy erupted after one ministry displayed laxity in implementing orders regarding the import of betel nuts, which was under the purview of the Plant Protection Department, a ministry under National Food Security. The issue stemmed from unauthorized modifications to import regulations, which deviated from a draft approved by the food ministry in September 2025. Additionally, mishandling of communications with Indonesia and Uzbekistan was highlighted. The PM's office emphasized that the affected ministry failed to demonstrate due diligence and follow-up while processing his directives, thereby undermining the government's efforts to enhance governance and decision-making on key public matters. This development follows heated debates on the government's performance, with Interior Minister Senator Mohsin Naqvi alleging that the system has collapsed, despite the prime minister's prolonged working hours. The premier criticized the ministry's focus on task completion rather than achieving the directive's intended outcomes, urging inter-ministerial coordination to ensure adherence to policy directions. To prevent such lapses, the office instructed ministries to implement directives promptly, with due diligence and a focus on achieving objectives. The government has also appointed Musharraf Rasool Cyan as head of the Prime Minister's delivery unit, tasked with tracking implementation of his directives. The committee's report on the CEO's premature termination case is due within three days.",
  "summary": "PM orders stricter compliance, follow-up on directives",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}