ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to abolish 28 departments in five ministries, as part of efforts to streamline state machinery and reduce administrative expenditures.
On August 16, decision has been taken on the recommendations of the committee in a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.
The meeting was briefed on reforms in five ministries — Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, States and Frontier Regions, Information Technology and Telecommunication, Industries and Production and National Health Services.
According to the press release issued by the Prime Minister House, in the meeting, it has been proposed to merge the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan into State and Frontier Regions, while 28 different departments in 5 ministries are also closed, privatized or these departments has been proposed to be given to federal units, it was also proposed to consolidate 12 institutions within five ministries.
The prime minister directed that the proposal be submitted to the federal cabinet for approval and a comprehensive plan be prepared and presented for its implementation. He said the government’s institutional reforms were aimed at reducing burden on the national exchequer and improving the services being provided to the public.
He further said that “The state institutions which have not shown adequate performance in terms of public service and are a burden on the national exchequer should either be instantly closed or steps should be taken for their immediate privatisation,”
He would personally supervise the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, meant to encourage businesses in the SME sector, and directed that the authority be brought under the PM Office, he added.
The reforms committee suggested eliminating around 150,000 vacant positions and proposed outsourcing non-core functions such as cleaning and janitorial services, leading to the gradual phased elimination of various posts in grades 1 to 16.
The committee also recommended a complete ban on recruitment on contingency posts and supervision of the finance ministry over cash balances of the ministries.
