ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, chaired a key meeting on the ongoing efforts to rightsize the federal government, marking the beginning of the fourth wave of this initiative. The meeting focused on potential reforms within five major ministries, including Communications and Railways, as part of an expansive review of government structure.

According to a statement by Press Information Department, the meeting featured participation from Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Members of the National Assembly, and various Federal Secretaries. The Finance Minister praised the collaborative approach taken by various ministries in the first three waves of the rightsizing exercise, which evaluated 43 ministries and nearly 400 departments. The initiative aims to streamline these entities by the end of the financial year.

During the meeting, it was announced that the fourth wave would scrutinize the Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Revenue Division, and Petroleum Division. The Ministry of Communications presented plans for semi-privatization and public-private partnership models, highlighting revenue-generating projects such as the National Highway Authority’s potential motorway developments.

Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan emphasized the financial opportunities within the National Highway Authority, suggesting that investments in revenue-based motorways could significantly enhance government income. The ongoing rightsizing efforts are part of a broader strategy to increase efficiency and profitability within Pakistan’s federal government.