Proposed size of the federal govt is set to face reduction under proposed reforms
ISLAMABAD, Feb 06 (SABAH): The proposed size of the federal government is set to face reduction under proposed reforms undertaken to cut the non-development budget in the tenure of the next elected government, officials confirmed.
Deputy Chairman Planning Commission (PC) Dr. Hafeez Pasha had proposed in his report for Down Sizing of the Federal Government in 1997, reduction of Federal Ministries from existing 33 to just 18 and reduction in Divisions from existing 48 to just 24 to make the size of the government financially manageable and viable.
Reduction in Public Sector Entities and Corporations from 241 to just 105, and privative, Wind-up close, transfer to province and give operational autonomy to remaining. Any government elected in Pakistan, in forthcoming general elections scheduled on February 8, 2024 would be required to undertake these reforms to enable the country to live within available means and meet the national and international debt retirement obligation in more sustainable manner.
For reduction in the size of the Federal Government According to the official sources, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission (PC) Dr. Hafeez Pasha had proposed merger of Statistics Division in Planning Ministry, Population Welfare in to Ministry of Health, Housing Works into Ministry of Environment, Water and Power in to Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Industries and Production in to Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment.
Dr. Pasha Committee had also proposed abolition of divisions having subjects like Railway Division, Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth Affairs, Local Government and Rural Development, Narcotics Control Division, Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education.
Dr. Pasha had proposed federal government comprising of only 18 ministries including
Ministry of Planning, Development and Statistics,
Ministry of Food Agriculture and Live Stock,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Ministry of Health and Population Welfare,
Ministry of Information and Media Development,
Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Northern Areas, States and Frontier Regions.
Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis,
Ministry of Energy and Natural resources,
Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,
Ministry of religious Affairs, Zakat, Usher and Minority Affairs.
Dr. Hafeez Pasha also proposed reduction from 48 to just 24, the Divisions of the Federal Government and keeping Cabinet, Establishment, Trade and Industry, Communications, Education, Defence, Environment, Housing and Works, Finance, Economic Affairs, Planning and Development, Statistics, Food and Agriculture, Foreign Affairs, Health, Population Welfare, Information and Media Development, Interior, Kashmir Affairs-Northern Areas-States-Frontier Regions, Labour, manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Law & Justice Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs, Petroleum and Natural Resources, water and Power and Religious Affairs, Zakat, Usher and Minority Affairs.
Dr. Pasha Committee had also proposed reduction in Foreign Missions of Pakistan and their attached departments in 10 countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Mexico, Warsaw, Senegal, Burn Switzerland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Lisbon and Hungary,
Closure of the Commercial missions in Hungry, Kenya, Oman, Russia, Sweeden and any other considered appropriate.
Closure of Education Offices in Foreign Missions in Washington, United kingdom, Jeddah, Abudhabi, Tehran, Kabul, Turkey, and Paris.
Closure of Industries office in Pakistan Embassy Tokyo.
Closure of some Information offices in Pakistan Mission in 16 countries, including Cairo, Stockholm, Tokyo, Pretoria, Moscow, Ottawa, Nairobi, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Colombo, Canberra, Bonn, Amarhak, Abudhabi and any other.
Closure of Lobour Offices in Pakistan Missions in London Norway, Copenhagen, Alan, Manchester and Oslo. And many federal government institutions be transferred to provinces.