CM Maryam Nawaz orders abolition of 31 deputy secretary posts under austerity drive

In a major step towards implementing its austerity policy the Punjab government has decided to abolish 31 posts

LAHORE: In a major step towards implementing its austerity policy, the Punjab government has decided to abolish 31 posts of Deputy Secretaries across 20 provincial departments following directions from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The move is aimed at reducing government expenditure, removing unnecessary positions, and creating a more efficient administrative structure.

The decision was conveyed through an official notification issued by the General Wing of the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD). According to government officials, the abolition of these posts is part of a wider reform strategy to review the existing bureaucratic framework and ensure better utilisation of available resources.

The latest action comes after the Punjab government’s earlier decision to eliminate thousands of unnecessary posts at the district level. Officials said that the austerity campaign has now been extended to senior positions within the provincial secretariat to control administrative costs and improve governance efficiency.

Major Departments Affected

Under the restructuring plan, several important provincial departments will see a reduction in senior administrative posts. The affected departments include:

* Home Department, Punjab: Four Deputy Secretary positions abolished

* Higher Education Department, Lahore: Three Deputy Secretary positions abolished

* Irrigation Department: One Deputy Secretary General post abolished

* Forest and Wildlife Department, Lahore: One Deputy Secretary post abolished

* Housing Department, Lahore:* One Deputy Secretary post abolished

In total, 31 Deputy Secretary-level positions have been removed from different departments as part of the government’s cost-cutting measures.

Over 150 Supporting Posts Also to Be Eliminated

The notification further stated that the abolition of Deputy Secretary posts will also result in the removal of more than 150 attached supporting positions

. These include posts of Personal Assistants, clerical staff, and Class-IV employees working with the abolished offices.

Officials believe the decision will help reduce the financial burden on the provincial exchequer by limiting expenditure on vacant, redundant, or unnecessary positions while ensuring that available manpower is used more effectively.

Officers to Be Re-deployed Instead of Removed

The Punjab government has clarified that officers affected by the abolition of these posts will not be terminated from service. Instead, they will be adjusted and assigned new responsibilities in field formations across the province.

According to S&GAD officials, officers may be posted on positions such as Additional Assistant Commissioners (AACs) and Additional Deputy Commissioners (Revenue), where their administrative experience can be utilised for public service delivery.

Meanwhile, supporting staff members will be accommodated against available vacancies in other government departments.

Part of Broader Administrative Reforms

The decision is being viewed as part of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s broader agenda to transform the provincial administration into a more economical and performance-oriented system. The government has repeatedly emphasised reducing unnecessary spending, improving institutional efficiency, and ensuring that public resources are utilised effectively.

Officials said that a detailed review of departmental structures is continuing, and more reforms may be introduced in the coming months as part of the Punjab government’s ongoing austerity and governance improvement measures.

The administration believes that a leaner government structure will help improve decision-making, reduce operational costs, and strengthen service delivery across the province.