Dr. Qaiser Bengali had criticized the government’s approach, suggesting that it was insufficiently focused on higher-grade positions that could lead to more significant savings
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has issued a response following Dr. Qaiser Bengali’s resignation from the Right-Sizing of the Federal Government Committee, addressing his recent criticisms of the government’s reform strategy. Dr. Bengali’s resignation has brought attention to the broader debate surrounding the government’s right-sizing initiative, which aims to reduce government expenditure by evaluating and potentially reducing the number of government positions.
The government spokesperson clarified that the right-sizing effort is not confined to posts up to grade 16 but extends to include positions as high as grade 22. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to overhaul institutional frameworks under the leadership of the Federal Minister of Finance. According to the spokesperson, the committee’s recommendations, which have been approved by the cabinet, propose that up to 60,000 government posts might be considered surplus. This includes positions from grades 17 to 22. In the first phase of the review, six ministries and institutions were assessed.
The committee has recommended the abolition of one ministry, the merger of two others, and the elimination of several positions, including two at grade 22. Additionally, a mandatory retirement package is being developed through amendments to the Civil Servants Act, which will affect all civil servants without exception. Dr. Qaiser Bengali had criticized the government’s approach, suggesting that it was insufficiently focused on higher-grade positions that could lead to more significant savings.
Bengali argued that targeting employees in grades 1 to 16 would have minimal impact on overall expenditure, while removing higher-grade officers could potentially save up to 30 billion rupees annually. His resignation from the Right-Sizing Committee, as well as from other austerity and cost-cutting committees, has underscored the tensions within the government’s reform efforts. Bengali’s resignation highlights a perceived misalignment between his views on effective cost reduction and the current strategy of the government.
The federal government’s right-sizing plan is part of a comprehensive reform agenda under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, which also includes the privatization of various institutions and the closure of redundant departments. The primary goal of these measures is to achieve substantial savings in government spending and enhance fiscal efficiency. The response from the federal government aims to address concerns about the scope and effectiveness of the right-sizing initiative and to clarify the extent of the planned reforms.
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