Overview
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired a high-level review and directed officials to speed up the federal rightsizing programme to shrink the size of government and boost efficiency.
- He ordered a third-party audit of agencies and vacant posts abolished under the programme so independent reviewers can verify claimed savings and transparency.
- Officials told the meeting that the Utility Stores Corporation, Pakistan Public Works Department and PASSCO have been closed and that vacant positions across ministries were abolished.
- The government says the measures have reduced the ratio of civil government spending to GDP and that privatisations of Pakistan International Airlines and First Women Bank Limited have been completed.
- The Rightsizing Committee was given one month to finish remaining recommendations and officials are preparing proposals to rightsise and privatise additional state-owned enterprises and autonomous bodies.