Closing, merger of govt depts recommended

ISLAMABAD -A high-powered committee appointed by the Prime Minister to submit recommendations to reduce government expenditures and size has recommended the closure, merger, or transfer of some government departments to the provinces.

It was announced at a high-level committee meeting held in Islamabad today, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Dr Qaiser Bangali, Dr Farrukh Saleem, and Muhammad Naveed Iftikhar, the Federal Cabinet, Establishment, and Power Secretaries, presented the report to the Prime Minister during the meeting.

The Committee made short and medium-term recommendations, including implementing a contributory pension mechanism for newly appointed employees and eliminating vacancies that had been vacant for more than a year.

The committee suggested involving the private sector in service delivery in government departments, as well as prohibiting unnecessary travel by government officials in order to reduce costs by promoting teleconferencing.

The committee also recommended that officers who used the monetization facility withdraw their official vehicles.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the committee to submit concrete proposals after analyzing best practices around the world.

He expressed hope that the high-powered committee’s recommendations would save billions of rupees from the national exchequer.