Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed all the ministries/ divisions to immediately establish think tanks to identify the opportunities due to the crisis and carry out reforms to improve the performance of public sector organizations, well informed sources told Business Recorder.

The PM issued these instructions during a recent meeting of the federal cabinet. He was of the view that think tanks should be manned by experts and sector specialists, instead of posting of regular government servants, to provide policy advice for exploring new possibilities.

However, ministries have not received any details instructions on the criteria of hiring and the budget for this purpose.

Some of the bureaucrats argue that the idea is not feasible as the sector experts will run a parallel system which will undermine the authority of the bureaucracy.

PM's Adviser on Government Reforms and Austerity, Dr Ishrat Hussain is also working on reforms in government departments. He was recently asked to start the reform process in Pakistan Railways and Federal Board of Revenue.

An official on condition of anonymity told that the ministries may seek funds from the World Bank for this purpose like the millions of dollars Bank provided to the Commerce Ministry in the name of 'Pakistan Goes Global' enabling the ministry to hire some very 'talented' people as media consultants on a heavy package.

The Bank has also given a consultant to the Ministry of Industries and Production for reforms in its attached departments.

Many other ministries have also employed sector consultants funded by different international financial institutions.