PM Shehbaz Sharif orders closure of Pakistan PWD

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered the closure of the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD), amidst government efforts to reduce expenditures and streamline operations.

The Establishment Division has prepared a summary in this regard for the federal cabinet for winding up of Pakistan PWD, which directs the Ministry of Housing and Works to finish the work mentioned in the draft.

The summary said, “Upon winding up of Pak PWD, the services of its Civil Servants shall be placed on Surplus Pool for further adjustment elsewhere in the Federal Government under the provisions of Section 11-A of Civil Servants Act, 1973 and instructions/guidelines made thereunder.”

“As regards non-civil Servants, their cases may be dealt with under the provisions of relevant Service Regulations. The cases of contractual employees may be dealt with as per the provisions of their contract agreements,” the summary reads.

Earlier, the Pakistan Public Works Department was facing closure after Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the formation of a five-member committee tasked to finalize the official plan for dissolving the department.

A notification was issued to form the committee, chaired by the Federal Housing Minister, and included the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, the Secretary of the Establishment Division, and the Secretaries of both Housing and Power Divisions.