In a bid to streamline operations and reduce unnecessary expenditures, the Punjab government has emulated the federal government’s initiative to restructure and reorganize its administrative departments. A 13-member committee comprising provincial ministers and administrative secretaries, with Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb as its convenor, has been tasked with this responsibility.
The committee has been charged with conducting a comprehensive review of departmental functions to identify areas of excessive expenditure and eliminate redundancies. Emphasis is being placed on safeguarding public assets and resources while ensuring efficiency and excellence in governmental operations.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has empowered the committee to address any other issues of public interest and submit a comprehensive plan of action within 60 days. Members of the committee include ministers for finance and law, chief secretary, chairman of the planning and development board, and additional chief secretaries representing different regions of Punjab.
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While the committee’s formation aims to rationalize the use of public resources, some bureaucrats have expressed skepticism, raising concerns about the potential dismantling of projects initiated by the previous government. They highlighted instances where newly established departments were later dissolved by successive governments, leading to wastage of time and resources.
Notably, the recent government actions include the withdrawal of administrative secretaries from the South Punjab secretariat and the creation of new posts of special secretaries, signaling a shift in administrative powers. Additionally, the establishment of a Punjab Enforcement Authority under the Services and General Administration Department has sparked discussions about the redistribution of administrative roles.
Despite the committee’s deadline to present recommendations within 60 days, concerns have been raised regarding the timely submission of proposals, citing a similar committee established earlier that has yet to finalize its recommendations concerning the Punjab Local Government Act.
