Aurangzeb says ministries would be merged to minimize government size; the Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division will be disbanded.
Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb stated on Tuesday that in order to minimize its expenses and enhance its performance, the government had done away with 150,000 vacancies in different ministries after federal cabinet permission.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, the minister stated that 60% of openings had been combined. “Similarly, 80 departments affiliated with six ministries will be reduced to 40 by merging them into one another,” he told me.
Further explaining, he stated that in the first phase, the Ministry of Information and Lok Virsa will be merged. “Later, the ministries of Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and SAFRON will be made one.”
Aurangzeb stated that the Ministry of Finance will monitor the cash balances of all departments. “It has also been decided to abolish the Ministry of Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD).”
“Right now the expenditures stand at Rs900 million,” the minister said.
He stated the country’s economy was now on the right track.
He stated that the administration has accelerated the implementation of changes in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). “The FBR is now heading towards digitalization.”
The minister informed the media that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would inaugurate a ‘faceless system’ at the Pakistan Customs Office tomorrow (Wednesday).
Aurangzeb stated that in June of last year, the prime minister formed a committee to cut the size of the government. “Size will be reduced in stages.” “In each phase, five to six ministries will be eliminated,” he explained.
The minister stated that detailed talks with all ministry officials had taken place in this regard. “There are 400 departments attached to 43 ministries,” he informed me.
He expressed hope that the ‘Urran Pakistan’ initiative will assist the country achieve long-term growth.
He went on to explain that the goal of rightsizing was to strengthen the capability of various government departments.