Sub-committee formed to rationalise Pakistan's missions abroad for efficiency

An eight-member sub-committee led by MNA Bilawal Azhar Kayani has been formed to carry out a detailed review of functions and performance of Pakistan’s missions abroad in line with the direction ofDeputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the sub-committee led by MNA Kayani included additional secretaries of several ministries and joint secretary institutional reforms cell.

In June last year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had constituted a 12-member committee led by FM Dar to carry out a detailed review of functions and performance of Pakistan’s missions abroad.

A notification issued by the Cabinet Division had said Committee on Rationalising Pakistan’s Mission Abroad was constituted to rationalise the country’s missions for efficiency and economy.

Led by Dar, the 12-member included federal ministers Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Jam Kamal Khan, PM’s aide Tariq Fatemi, State Minister for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik, MNA Bilal Azhar Kayani, Dr Farrukh Saleem, secretaries for commerce, economics, foreign affairs and Cabinet Division.

The terms of reference (ToRs) of the committee shall be as under:

• Analyse size and numbers of Pakistan's missions abroad in juxtaposition to requirements, scope of work and socio-political and economic benefits for the country
• Recommend a plan for rationalising the missions
• Examine the functioning of missions with regards to purposes and futuristic role of these set ups aligned with national interest of the country
• Suggest measures to improve efficiency of missions including internal structure of missions and station specific quantifiable performance targets
• Any other issue relevant to the scope of work assigned to the committee
• Committee may co-opt any additional member(s) on need basis

The notification said the committee is required submit its recommendations within 30 days for consideration of the prime minister.

“The Cabinet Division (Institutional Reforms Cell) shall provide secretarial support to the committee,” it added.