Government Cuts Over 55,545 Vacant Positions
Islamabad: As a result of the ongoing right-sizing exercise by the federal government, a total of 55,545 vacant positions across various ministries and departments have either been abolished or are in the process of being phased out.
According to official sources, under the structural reforms, 44,286 vacant posts have been completely eliminated so far, while 11,259 positions have been declared as “dying cadre.” This means these posts will gradually disappear as they fall vacant or upon the retirement of the current incumbents.
A high-level source within the Establishment Division stated that these are the latest figures. The process is ongoing under the supervision of a committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aimed at making the federal government more efficient, reducing expenditures, and improving administrative performance.
Launched in mid-2024, this right-sizing campaign encompasses all federal ministries, their attached departments, and autonomous bodies. The primary goal is to eliminate long-vacant or unnecessary positions to achieve significant savings in the salary budget with minimal disruption.
Officials state that this measure is being taken to reduce recurring expenses and rationalize the size of the federal workforce in the context of ongoing economic challenges. In 2024, the cabinet approved the elimination of approximately 150,000 positions in the federal government, along with allowing amendments to the Army Act to provide financial packages for employees affected by the right-sizing.
According to the cabinet’s decision, 60% of the roughly 150,000 vacant posts were to be either abolished or declared dying posts. To reduce the pension burden, the cabinet also decided to outsource all positions related to sanitation, plumbing, horticulture, and other general non-core services.
The government expects this measure to significantly reduce the number of Grade 1 to Grade 16 staff in the federal government and substantially cut pension expenditures. The cabinet also approved the elimination of all contingency posts in ministries and divisions.
According to sources, the government deliberately focused on vacant positions to avoid layoffs of serving employees. Positions declared as dying cadre will be eliminated over time, allowing for a gradual reduction in staff strength without immediate displacements.
