Government Plans to Dissolve IT Ministry and Four Others by July 30

The federal government of Pakistan is poised to undertake a significant restructuring by dissolving five key ministries, including the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications. This move is part of a broader strategy to streamline government functions and reduce administrative overhead.

According to sources within the government, a detailed proposal has been developed to abolish the ministries of IT and Telecom, Industry and Production, Health, Kashmir Affairs, and SAFRON (States and Frontier Regions). The plan, which aims to be implemented by July 30, will significantly reshape the administrative landscape of the country.

One of the major concerns surrounding this decision is the fate of the employees currently working in these ministries. To address this, various options have been proposed. The first suggestion is to offer a golden handshake package to the affected employees, providing them with a financial cushion as they transition out of their current roles. This package is intended to make the process smoother and more acceptable to those who will be displaced.

Alternatively, there is a proposal to integrate the employees of the dissolved ministries into other existing ministries. This would involve reassigning their roles and responsibilities to ensure that their skills and experience are not lost. This option aims to minimize the disruption to the employees’ careers while maintaining the efficiency of government operations.

Additionally, the proposal includes the possibility of placing the affected employees into a surplus pool. This pool would serve as a temporary holding area where employees can be reassigned to different departments as the need arises. This approach provides flexibility in managing human resources while ensuring that the workforce is utilized effectively.

The Institutional Reforms Cell, a body tasked with overseeing government reforms, has prepared these proposals in collaboration with the relevant ministries. The reforms are being designed with a focus on reducing redundancy and improving the efficiency of government operations. As part of this process, there will be consultations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss the packages to be offered to the affected employees, ensuring that the reforms align with international best practices and fiscal guidelines.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will be briefed on the proposals, and a final decision will be made after his review. The sources indicate that a comprehensive briefing will be conducted to ensure that all aspects of the proposals are thoroughly examined before a final decision is reached. The goal is to finalize the plans regarding the abolition of the five ministries and the future of their employees by July 30.

This move is part of a broader initiative by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to rightsizing the government. The Institutional Reforms Cell was instructed by the Prime Minister to work on this project with a mandate to prepare a report on rightsizing within a week. This initiative is seen as a crucial step towards making the government more efficient and responsive to the needs of the country.