Islamabad, August 18—In a significant move to reduce government spending, Pakistan has decided to abolish 28 departments across five ministries. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting on Friday, according to a report by Dawn News.

The Prime Minister's Office issued a press release confirming the decision, which includes the merger of the Ministry of Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan with the Ministry of State and Frontier Region Affairs. Additionally, 12 institutions within the five ministries are set to be merged.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed that the proposal be presented to the cabinet for final approval. He also emphasized the need for a detailed plan to ensure the smooth implementation of this decision.

The restructuring is expected to have significant implications for the public sector, with concerns that more than 150,000 government employees could be at risk of losing their jobs as a result of the cuts.

This move is part of a broader effort by the Pakistani government to streamline its operations and address economic challenges by reducing unnecessary expenditures. The proposal, once approved by the cabinet, will mark a major shift in the structure and functioning of the government.