ISLAMABAD: The federal government has imposed a strict ban on the creation of new vacancies in all federal ministries, divisions, and departments, aimed to lower the burden on the national exchequer.
The decision was taken as the government has initiated the work to estimate the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025-26. Apart from that, several other key directives were issued including the identification and elimination of redundant positions from all government-run departments.
According to the circular issued by the Ministry of Finance, all government entities are required to submit details about their existing structure by February 6. The documents also prohibit the creation of any new positions without prior approval from the Finance Ministry.
“All vacant/redundant posts (lying vacant/idle for more than three years) are required to be reported and abolished as per Financial Management & Powers of PAOS Regulations, 2021,” the circular read.
“No new post shall be created in the Divisions/Departments/Sub-ordinate Offices/Organizations/Entities except with the prior approval of the Finance Division.”
Earlier, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that the federal government has abolished 150,000 vacant regular posts in rightsizing measures initiated by the incumbent govt to reduce expenditures and improve efficiency.
Addressing the press conference in Islamabad, the finance czar added that 60% of vacant regular posts that have not come in payroll have been abolished or declared as dying posts after proper approval from the cabinet.
The finance minister reaffirmed to rightsise 42 ministries and their 400 attached departments by the end of this current fiscal year 2024-25. “We have decided to bring five or six departments under rightsizing in each phase,” the minister said.
