ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the relevant authorities to eliminate unnecessary posts and positions in government departments to improve performance, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

In a statement, the PMO said PM Shehbaz chaired a review meeting on the federal government’s right-sizing initiatives and measures to enhance public sector efficiency.

“Modern technology and improved training should be utilised to significantly enhance the performance of government institutions,” the PMO stated.

During the meeting, the prime minister was apprised that under the right-sizing initiative, the Utility Stores Corporation, Pakistan Public Works Department, and Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Services Corporation had already been closed, resulting in savings for the national exchequer, the statement said.

“The prime minister directed that a third-party audit be conducted of the posts and institutions abolished under the right-sizing initiative, instructing the Right-Sizing Committee to complete its remaining recommendations within one month,” it added.

“Eliminating unnecessary posts and positions is an important component of the government’s reform agenda,” it quoted PM Shehbaz as saying.

“The implementation of right-sizing measures should be accelerated to improve the overall performance and efficiency of the government,” he stressed.

According to the statement, the meeting was briefed on the progress made by the Right-Sizing Committee regarding the implementation of the initiative.

“The right-sizing measures have reduced the ratio of the federal civilian government’s expenditure to GDP,” it added.

During the meeting, it was informed that vacant posts across various ministries and government departments had been abolished.

“Proposals are being prepared for the right-sizing of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and autonomous bodies,” it said.

The meeting was informed that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and First Women Bank Limited had been privatised, while further steps were being taken for the privatisation of several other state-owned enterprises, the statement concluded.