Shehbaz orders faster rightsizing, audit of abolished government posts

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered authorities to speed up the federal government’s rightsizing drive, calling for the removal of unnecessary posts and a third-party audit of positions and institutions already scrapped.

Chairing a review meeting on reforms aimed at improving public-sector performance, the prime minister said, "Eliminating unnecessary posts and positions is an important component of the government’s reform agenda." He also stressed that "the implementation of right-sizing measures should be accelerated to improve the overall performance and efficiency of the government."

The Prime Minister’s Office said Shehbaz directed the Right-Sizing Committee to complete its remaining recommendations within one month. He also emphasised the use of modern technology and better training to significantly improve the performance of government institutions.

Closures and spending cuts

Officials told the meeting that the Utility Stores Corporation, Pakistan Public Works Department and Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation had already been closed under the rightsizing initiative, generating savings for the national exchequer.

The meeting was also informed that vacant posts in various ministries and departments had been abolished, while the rightsizing measures had reduced the ratio of federal civilian government expenditure to GDP.

Next phase to cover SOEs and autonomous bodies

According to the PMO, proposals are now being prepared for the rightsizing of state-owned enterprises and autonomous bodies.

The meeting was told that Pakistan International Airlines and First Women Bank Limited had been privatised, while further steps were under way for the privatisation of several other state-owned enterprises.