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Pakistan is struggling to manage its finances amid ongoing economic challenges. As such, the country’s federal cabinet has approved drastic austerity measures, including outsourcing janitorial services and banning new machinery purchases to curb government spending read more
 "Cash-strapped Pak pinching pennies, says no in-house janitors, no new machinery in govt sector")
Pakistan, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, i taking tough steps to bring its finances in control. Reuters
In yet another attempt to curb government spending, Pakistan’s federal cabinet approved the merger and abolition of 82 departments across six ministries, cutting them down to 40 in the first phase of what it is calling a “rightsizing plan”.
The decision comes as the cash-strapped country grapples with economic challenges, forcing it to pinch pennies in every corner of the federal government.
Nixing in-house janitorial staff
Chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the cabinet meeting greenlit a series of austerity measures. Among the most striking decisions was the outsourcing of non-core functions, including cleaning services. That means the government sector in Pakistan will soon be devoid of in-house janitorial staff.
The reforms committee also recommended eliminating around 150,000 vacant positions and imposed a complete ban on recruitment for contingency posts, according to Pakistani media outlet, Dawn.
To address concerns about the impact on employees, the cabinet formed a committee to protect the rights of those affected by the mergers and dissolutions. Staff from dissolved ministries may be transferred to other organisations or offered positions in the surplus pool, with potential relocation to provincial roles.
Purchase of new equipment, machinery halted
The cabinet also extended the austerity policies introduced by the previous PML-N government, continuing measures such as a ban on the purchase of vehicles at public expense— except in critical cases like ambulances— and prohibiting unnecessary foreign travel and medical treatments abroad.
Even the purchase on new equipment and machinery will be curtailed.
Cabinet members will also forgo salaries on a volunteer basis.
Can’t afford support staff? Use AI
An official statement quoted PM Sharif as saying that new smart management systems and digitisation were being introduced in the government sector to develop the country’s governance structure, Dawn reported.
Additionally, the officer cadre is expected to adopt artificial intelligence and digital tools to reduce their reliance on support staff, reflecting the government’s push toward a more technologically advanced and cost-effective public sector.
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