ISLAMABAD, 23 MAY (DNA) – A spokesman of the Ministry of Finance has said some irresponsible and ill-motivated elements had started a smear campaign on social media against the ministry, falsely alleging that it has outsourced budget making to foreigners.

The spokesman, in a statement here, said, “This is a patently false report spread with ulterior motives.” He clarified the budget making was a sensitive national activity undertaken under the close and direct supervision of the senior hierarchy of the Finance Division. “No foreigner has any role in the making of budget,” he added.

The spokesman said the individuals mentioned in the smear campaign were consultants hired by the European Union under a grant given to Pakistan to help inimprove the pubic financial management in Pakistan.

“None of the consultants play any role or is privy to any information regarding the budget making. In fact, they have no role in the core functions of the Ministry of Finance,” he added. The spokesman said the story being spread was anonymous and lacked any credibility whatsoever. DNA