Downsizing: Govt Plans to Cut 30,968 Public Jobs

Islamabad: Federal government has decided to abolish 30,968 government posts as part of its rightsizing initiative, aimed at improving efficiency and focusing on core responsibilities.

This decision was shared with the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue by the Secretary of the Cabinet Division.

Key points from the article:

1. Abolishment of Posts:

   • A total of 30,968 government posts will be eliminated under the rightsizing plan, with 7,724 posts being declared as “dying posts” to be abolished in the future.

   • The majority of these abolished posts (7,305) are in Scale-I, while only two posts in Grade 21-22 will be impacted.

   • Other affected posts include 36 in Grade-20 and 99 in Grade-19, which will be phased out.

2. Objective of Rightsizing:

   • The rightsizing initiative aims to streamline the federal government, focusing on essential functions while transferring non-core responsibilities to the provinces.

   • As part of this reform, the government is also reviewing its commercial activities to assess their necessity and effectiveness.

3. Exemption of Regulatory Bodies:

   • Regulatory authorities will not be affected by the rightsizing process, though they are required to submit data regarding staff strength, consultants, and salary structures.

   • The rightsizing effects on autonomous institutions are also being considered.

4. Senator Sherry Rehman’s Concerns:

   • Senator Sherry Rehman expressed concerns over the government’s seeming contradiction: while it is cutting costs through rightsizing, it has simultaneously increased the size of the federal cabinet.

   • She also raised the issue of the hardship that government employees might face, especially those forced into early retirement as a result of this policy.

Read More: Government Starts Right-Sizing Plan in Multiple Ministries

1. Cabinet Secretary’s Response:

   • The Cabinet Secretary defended the rightsizing process, stating that it would result in substantial savings for the government and enhance operational efficiency.

   • Regarding the increase in the cabinet size, the secretary emphasized that new ministers were brought in to improve ministry performance as part of the broader institutional reform.

2. Review and Accountability:

   • The performance of the Rightsizing Committee is regularly reviewed to ensure transparency and accountability.

   • There are ongoing discussions on how to balance fiscal discipline with effective administration, as the government continues to implement large-scale structural reforms.

3. Other Legislative Matters:

   • The committee also discussed the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, with debates around its classification as a money bill. Further discussions are planned, and the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will be summoned for more clarity.

In conclusion, while the rightsizing initiative is seen as a step towards improving government efficiency, it has sparked concerns regarding the impact on employees and the apparent contradiction between cost-cutting and the expansion of the cabinet.

Also Read: Federal Cabinet Approves Rightsizing of Commerce Ministry

The process is under scrutiny, and further discussions will continue to ensure its fairness and effectiveness. Story by AHmed Mukhtar.