Islamabad, January 18,2025- The federal government’s Rightsizing Committee has approved a comprehensive plan to streamline the operations of the Ministry of Science by closing six institutions and merging four others. This decision is part of a broader effort to reduce the ministry’s workforce and enhance operational efficiency.
As per the committee’s recommendations, several key entities will be shut down, including the Council for Works and Housing Research, the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, and the Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technology. The National Institute of Electronics is likely to either be merged or closed, while the Scientific and Technological Development Corporation will be dissolved altogether.
The committee has also directed a third-party evaluation of the Pakistan Halal Authority to assess its effectiveness. To modernize operations, the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) will undergo a process of digitalization.
In addition to these measures, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has been tasked with proposing a plan to enhance its academic standards and improve job placement opportunities for graduates across 100 universities. The National University of Technology is required to submit a five-year plan outlining how it will achieve self-sustainability. Furthermore, the Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research will undergo a third-party performance review to assess its ongoing relevance and efficiency.
As part of the government’s broader restructuring efforts, the committee has called for a 50% reduction in staffing levels at the Ministry of Science and Technology. A report on the implementation of these changes is expected by July 20.
