Prime Minister's Task Force on Austerity and Government Restructuring has recommended that the federal government would retain 324 organizational entities (OEs) under two broad categories, ie, executive departments (87) and autonomous bodies (237) out of total 441 OEs. The documents revealed that all 441 OEs exist under the federal government and these can be classified on the basis of their legal structure and functional responsibilities into 18 different categories.
A draft working paper with the proposals suggesting future configuration, regrouping and mapping of each OE was circulated and discussed by the secretaries committee. Their suggestions were incorporated and the revised proposals pertaining to the OEs under the administrative control of each ministry were sent to the minister in charge for their views.
After the assessment and discussion it was decided that these 441 OEs would be grouped into seven categories for further action. Only 324 OEs would be retained by the federal government after taking action on the proposals made with respect to the other 117 OEs.
Under the proposals, 441 OEs were divided into the following seven categories for action purposes: a) to be privatized or transferred to Sarmaya Pakistan Ltd (43); b) to be transferred to the provincial governments, Islamabad capital territory and Gilgit-Baltistan (14); c) to be liquidated or closed down (8); d) to be transferred into independent commissions/ councils/ committees with minimum involvement of the government; e) to be merged with other entities (35); f) to be reorganized as training and policy support institutes (17); g) and to be retained by the federal government only in two broad categories as (i) Executive Departments (87) and (ii) Autonomous Bodies (237).
The federal government notified in September 2018 the formation of a task force consisting of both officials as well as non-officials to come up with the recommendations for the restructuring and reorganization of the federal government. The task force assisted by the institutional reforms cell in the Prime Minister's Office carried out a comprehensive assessment of each OE working under the government.
The cabinet at its meeting held on July 9, 2019 decided in principle to approve the recommendations that the federal government would retain 324 organizational entities under two broad categories: (i) executive departments (87) and (ii) autonomous bodies (237) and action in respect to the remaining 117 entities would be taken according to the proposals.
The federal government currently consists of about 441 OEs categories under numerous attached departments, subordinate offices, autonomous bodies, registered companies, statutory corporations, etc, under the various divisions and ministries. These entities collectively employ 1.128 million people approximately.
Over the time, structure of these organizations has evolved in a haphazard and unchecked manner often serving the vision of individuals while ignoring the needs of the state. The expenditure of the government on the maintenance and operations of these entities as well as on the salaries of their bloated ranks has not been in conjunction with the work being done.
The report was submitted before the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Energy on Friday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019
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