Govt pushes faster implementation of federal rightsizing plan

August 10, 2026 (MLN): The federal government has called for faster implementation of approved measures under its ongoing rightsizing programme, with a focus on reducing costs, improving efficiency and strengthening public service delivery.

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired a meeting of the Sub-Committee on Rightsizing of the Federal Government to assess progress and discuss steps to accelerate the implementation process. Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Dr. Musadik Malik, who is the Convener of the reconstituted Sub-Committee on Rightsizing, also attended the meeting.

The committee reviewed progress under all eight waves of the rightsizing exercise covering federal ministries and their attached departments.

It was informed that Waves 1 to 4 have largely advanced following approval by the Cabinet, while follow-up work is continuing on recommendations already issued.

Recommendations under Waves 5 and 6 have been finalized and shared with the relevant authorities, whereas work on Waves 7 and 8 is currently underway.

Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb stressed the need to shift the rightsizing process more firmly towards implementation. He said the exercise should improve government efficiency, lower operating costs and enhance output through digitization, effective resource utilization and the streamlining of functions.

He also directed that recurring savings resulting from the exercise should be clearly quantified, while the fiscal impact of approved measures should be incorporated into the budget and the medium-term fiscal framework.

The committee also examined the broader scope of the rightsizing initiative, including a review of federal government functions and opportunities to improve efficiency through institutional restructuring, devolution and greater private-sector participation.

Participants stressed that government resources should remain concentrated on essential functions, supported by a leaner institutional structure aligned with service-delivery needs.

The meeting further discussed workload and activity analysis as a basis for determining institutional structures, functions and staffing requirements. The Finance Minister emphasized that the success of rightsizing should be assessed through improvements in productivity, efficiency and service delivery rather than merely through a reduction in the size of the government.

Senator Dr. Musadik Malik called for a focused and time-bound implementation strategy. In consultation with Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Rightsizing Salman Ahmad, he proposed preparing a clear action plan outlining specific timelines and responsibilities for converting approved recommendations into practical measures.

The Finance Minister directed the committee to maintain momentum through regular monitoring and timely execution of approved measures, with the broader objective of achieving sustainable improvements in government efficiency, fiscal management, resource utilization and public service delivery.

The meeting was attended by the Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Rightsizing, Secretary Cabinet Division, Secretary Power Division, Secretary Parliamentary Affairs and senior officials from relevant ministries and divisions.

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