_: Minister Aurangzeb said that under Wave 2, the committee considered the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Commerce Division, the Ministry of Housing and Works, and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Out of their 60 entities, 25 would be wound-up, 20 reduced and nine merged or shifted.
He said that under the ongoing Wave 3, five ministries have been notified, including the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training, Information and Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture, Finance Division and Power Division.
Sharing details about the committee, the minister said that in June of last year, the Prime Minister had constituted the committee, headed by the Finance Minister, with ministers, MNAs, representatives from coalition partners, the private sector, and high-level officials as its members.
He said the body's Terms of Reference (ToRs) were aimed at reducing federal government expenditures and improving its efficiency.
He said the committee was tasked with reviewing the performance of different ministries and their entities over the last thirty to forty years to decide whether they should be rolled-back or considered for improved efficiency.
Aurangzeb said that the committee decided to proceed in a phased manner for the efficient implementation of the recommendations, considering 5-6 ministries in batches.
He stated that all the ministries and representatives of attached departments were given a full opportunity to explain their points of view, adding that the discussions on each entity had taken several days.
The minister said that when a decision was made by the committee regarding any ministry/entity, it was forwarded to the Prime Minister to obtain endorsement from the FederalCabinet. After ratification, it came back for the implementation plan, he added.
In his opening remarks, the minister said that the government had achieved macroeconomic stability, which would now lead the country towards sustainable growth, steering it away from the 'boom and bust' cycle.
He said the incumbent government had changed the fundamental DNA of the economy towards export-led growth by engaging the private sector to lead the economy.
He also mentioned that the government was making structural reforms, improving taxation, and ensuring end-to-end digitalization.
Aurangzeb said that the Faceless Customs Assessment System (FCAS), under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) transformation plan, would be formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister on Wednesday, adding its benefits had already started to materialize.
