PM Shehbaz directs elimination of unnecessary positions to improve govt performance

ISLAMABAD: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed the concerned authorities to cut down unnecessary posts and positions in the government departments, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) reported.

According to a statement issued by the PMO, PM Shehbaz held a review meeting regarding the right-sizing efforts made by the federal government and efficiency in the public sector.

“Right-sizing and the use of modern technology, along with better training of the personnel, will go a long way to improve the performance of government institutions,” PMO informed.

According to the statement issued by the PMO, during the meeting, it was briefed that under the right-sizing plan, the Utility Stores Corporation, Pakistan Public Works Department and Pakistan Agriculture Storage & Services Corporation have already been shut down, thus saving for the national exchequer.

“PM Shehbaz instructed for the audit by a third party of the posts and institutions that were abolished under the right sizing plan and asked the Right-Sizing Committee to make the rest of its recommendations within a month,” it further read.

“Cutting unnecessary posts and positions is an integral part of the reform plan of the government,” the PMO quoted PM Shehbaz as saying.

“The implementation of right-sizing measures should be accelerated to improve the overall performance and efficiency of the government,” he stressed.

According to the statement, the meeting was briefed on the progress made by the Right-Sizing Committee regarding the implementation of the initiative.

“The right-sizing measures have reduced the ratio of the federal civilian government’s expenditure to GDP,” it added.

During the meeting, it was informed that vacant posts across various ministries and government departments had been abolished.

“Proposals are being prepared for the right-sizing of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and autonomous bodies,” it said.

The meeting was informed that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and First Women Bank Limited had been privatised, while further steps were being taken for the privatisation of several other state-owned enterprises, the statement concluded.