By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet approved a major overhaul of the country’s governance structure on Tuesday, merging 82 government institutions into 40 to improve efficiency, reduce bureaucracy and align with international standards.
The reforms, recommended by a government committee on rightsizing, will merge and dissolve 82 government institutions within six ministries into 40 entities, ensuring smart management and transparent implementation of projects.
The cabinet met in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.
“The meeting was informed that based on the committee’s recommendations, 82 government institutions within these ministries will be merged and dissolved into 40 institutions that will ensure digitization, smart management, efficient governance, transparent and swift implementation of projects, and better delivery of services to the common people,” a statement issued by the PM office said.
A committee was established to protect the interests of employees potentially affected by the reforms.
In the first phase, the recommendations will be implemented in six ministries to optimize workforce utilization, eliminate unnecessary delays, and strengthen essential departments.
The cabinet discussed and approved recommendations regarding the dissolution of Pak PWD, transfer of staff, and reassignment of ongoing projects to other ministries and institutions.
PM Sharif said the reforms were a priority to modernize the country’s system and align it with international standards.
“We are taking priority steps to improve governance and institutional reforms in the country,” Sharif said. “To modernize the country’s system and align it with international standards, we are introducing digitization and smart management of institutions.”
The Cabinet received a detailed briefing on austerity measures aimed at reducing government expenditures, including voluntary forfeiture of salaries by Cabinet members, bans on non-essential government purchases and travel, and a freeze on new government positions.
“The country cannot afford for the bureaucracy and elite to live lavishly on the taxes of the poor people,” the PM said. “I will protect every penny of this poor people’s money as far as possible, down to my last drop of blood.”
Sharif said ministers should ensure that the austerity measures are fully implemented in their respective ministries and institutions. “The efforts of ministers and officials to ensure the implementation of austerity measures are commendable.”
The cabinet commended efforts to implement austerity measures, noting savings of $130 million by stopping urea imports and ensuring uninterrupted gas supply to urea factories.
The prime minister appreciated the decisions taken by the ministries of Finance, Energy and National Food Security to ensure provision of unhindered supply of urea fertiliser during the upcoming Rabi crop season.
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