The criticism on ministers' performance by Shaukat Aziz came days after it was reported that the government was planning to remove at least five federal and 28 state ministers due to their poor performance.
As many as 36 parliamentary secretaries, who were also reportedly being removed for the same reason, equally came under what sources termed fierce criticism.
Why treasury members often could not maintain quorum in the National Assembly and the Senate sessions despite having more then 120 ministers and parliamentary secretaries, sources quoted Shaukat as asking.
The 'habitual' absence of the ministers from both Houses and their 'inadequacy' to reply questions were other matters of concern, which according to the sources, infuriated Shaukat to grill them.
On Thursday, the absence of ministers from the National Assembly provoked a strong reaction from opposition members as they compelled Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain into issuing a ruling on the matter.
Several members from the ruling coalition also used the meeting as an opportunity to raise the issue of ministers' 'casual' approach in responding their calls, the sources said.
"Whenever we approach them for matters relating to the development projects of our constituencies, they don't respond properly causing embarrassment for us before our voters," sources quoted MNAs as complaining.
Shaukat Aziz and PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain also put their weight behind these members and directed the ministers to listen to the ruling party parliamentarians.
The Prime Minister also briefed ruling coalition members about his recent visits to Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Chaudhry Shujaat directed the PML members to do extra legwork for the success for ruling party candidates in local government elections, expected to be held in June this year.