The federal government has made significant progress in its ongoing rightsizing initiative, having abolished or phased out a total of 55,545 vacant positions across various ministries, departments, and attached bodies. This large-scale reform effort aims to streamline the federal workforce, reduce unnecessary expenditure, and enhance administrative efficiency in response to the country’s pressing economic challenges.
Out of these, 44,286 posts have been completely abolished, meaning these positions will no longer exist within the government structure. Meanwhile, 11,259 posts have been designated as part of a “dying cadre,” a classification indicating that these roles will be gradually eliminated as current employees retire or leave, ensuring a smooth transition without immediate job losses. These figures reflect the most recent data shared by senior officials within the Establishment Division, which is overseeing the implementation of this reform.
The rightsizing exercise was launched in mid-2024 under the direct supervision of a committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The committee’s mandate is to rationalize the size of the federal government by targeting long-vacant and redundant posts, thereby minimizing disruption to active employees while achieving substantial savings in the government’s wage bill. This initiative encompasses all federal ministries as well as hundreds of attached departments and autonomous organizations, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the reform.
It is important to note that the government’s focus on vacant positions is a deliberate strategy to avoid layoffs of serving employees, which could lead to unrest and operational challenges. By abolishing unfilled posts and phasing out dying cadres, the government aims to reduce the workforce gradually and responsibly. This approach also helps in curbing recurring expenditures, which have been a significant strain on the federal budget amid ongoing economic difficulties.
Earlier in 2024, the federal cabinet had approved a broader plan to abolish approximately 150,000 posts across the federal government. This decision also included amendments to the Army Act to provide financial packages for employees affected by the rightsizing process. the cabinet’s directive, 60% of the assessed vacant posts—estimated at around 150,000—were to be either abolished outright or declared as dying posts, reinforcing the government’s commitment to workforce rationalization.
In addition to cutting down on staff numbers, the cabinet also decided to outsource all posts related to general and non-core services such as cleaning, plumbing, and gardening. This move is expected to significantly reduce the pension burden and streamline operations by focusing government resources on core administrative functions. The outsourcing strategy is also anticipated to drastically reduce the number of employees in the lower pay scales (BS 1-16), which constitute a large portion of the federal workforce.
Furthermore, the cabinet approved the abolition of all contingency posts within ministries and divisions, which were often created for temporary or ad hoc purposes but had become permanent fixtures over time. By eliminating these posts, the government aims to create a leaner and more efficient administrative structure.
Overall, this rightsizing drive reflects the government’s broader efforts to modernize the federal bureaucracy, improve fiscal discipline, and respond to the economic challenges facing the country. While the process is ongoing, the phased approach ensures that the workforce reduction is managed carefully to avoid disruptions in government services and maintain morale among existing employees.
