PM Shehbaz orders fast-tracking of govt rightsizing, calls for third-party audit
- Steps underway to privatise several other State-Owned Enterprises, forum told
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is accelerating rightsizing across federal institutions to cut government spending and boost efficiency, with major state enterprises already closed and more privatizations underway.
- Rightsizing measures across federal institutions.
- Closure of major state enterprises like USC and Pak PWD.
- Privatization of PIA, FWBL, and other State-Owned Enterprises.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed officials to accelerate the implementation of rightsizing measures across federal institutions to reduce government expenditure and improve overall efficiency through technology and training.
Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on downsizing the federal government, the prime minister emphasised that abolishing redundant posts is a central pillar of his administration’s reform agenda. He instructed the Rightsizing Committee to finalise its remaining recommendations within one month.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz highlighted that major state enterprises, including the Utility Stores Corporation (USC), Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak PWD), and Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASCO), have already been closed under the rightsizing initiative, resulting in significant savings for the national exchequer.
To ensure transparency, the premier ordered a third-party audit of all departments and positions eliminated under the rightsizing process.
Briefing the meeting on the progress of the reforms, officials reported that rightsizing measures have successfully reduced the ratio of civil government expenditure relative to GDP. Key updates presented at the meeting included:
The forum was told that vacant positions across various ministries and government departments have been eliminated.
It was also apprised that privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and First Women Bank Limited (FWBL) has been completed, with steps underway to privatise several other State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
Proposals regarding the rightsizing of autonomous bodies and SOEs are currently being finalized, the meeting was told.
Federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Dr Musadik Malik, Adviser on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.
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