A Senate oversight panel has directed the federal government to close around two dozen ministries and departments.
The panel also ordered the transfer of another dozen bodies to the Council of Common Interests within two weeks.
The Senate Functional Committee on Devolution’s subcommittee issued these directives on Monday. It also instructed the government to reconstitute the CCI.
Additionally, the panel demanded that provinces receive a share of media broadcasting rights. It also opposed federal regulation of print media under the constitutional framework.
Panel Opposes Privatisation Of Power Companies
The committee also barred the federal government from privatising power distribution companies. It argued that the Constitution places these entities under provincial control.
PPP Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro chaired the meeting. Officials from several federal ministries, provincial departments and the CCI attended the session.
Ghumro said the committee’s instructions carry binding force unlike ordinary standing committee recommendations. He directed the Cabinet Division to submit an initial implementation report within 15 days.
Senate Panel Seeks Major Government Restructuring
The chairman said federal government spending had reached Rs19 trillion. He argued that reforms could reduce expenditure to Rs13 trillion.
The panel proposed closing ministries covering health, education, railways, petroleum, planning and several other sectors. It also named multiple departments for closure or restructuring.
These included the Evacuee Trust Board, Zakat and Ushr, Naya Pakistan Housing Authority and EOBI. Other listed bodies included PMDC, WAPDA and the Press Information Department.
The panel argued that the federal government retained these institutions for political appointments. It said maintaining them placed a significant financial burden on the country.
Meanwhile, the directives emerged amid debate over creating new provinces or administrative units. Supporters say such changes could improve public service delivery.
