ISLAMABAD – The federal cabinet has approved cutting around 150,000 vacant government positions and made amendments to the Army Act to offer financial support to employees affected by the government’s downsizing plan.
Sources familiar with the development claimed that the proposal, which had already been approved by the prime minister, includes ending 60percent of vacant positions about 150,000 as dying posts.
In an effort to curb pension liabilities, the cabinet also decided to outsource non-core services like cleaning, plumbing, and gardening. This move aims to significantly reduce the number of Basic Scale (BS) 1-16 employees within federal government. Amid major changes, all contingency positions across ministries and divisions will be removed.
Furthermore, the cabinet also approved amendments to the Civil Servants Act of 1973, allowing government to offer financial packages to civil servants impacted by the downsizing.
These amendments aim to balance civil servants’ rights with the government’s obligations. Affected employees will have the right to submit a representation within seven days to a committee set up by the prime minister. The committee will then have 30 days to respond. If a civil servant rejects the severance offer, they may face termination of service.
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