ISLAMABAD (Special Correspondent) – Parliamentary Secretary for Communications Gul Asghar Khan informed the National Assembly on 29 October 2026 that the government has officially abolished 2,007 technical posts within the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) as part of its ongoing rightsizing policy. This initiative, which has drawn scrutiny regarding the career progression of staff, follows broader federal directives aimed at administrative consolidation.

Policy Context and Implementation

The move follows a formal Calling Attention Notice raised in the National Assembly concerning the discontinuation of established service structures for NHMP technical staff. The abolition affects various roles, including plumbers and electricians, designated by the government as ‘dying cadres.’ Gul Asghar Khan explained that the Ministry of Communications executed this decision based on explicit instructions from the federal Cabinet and the Establishment Division to eliminate redundant positions. Similar measures have been implemented across other government sectors, including the Pakistan Post Office, where approximately 4,000 posts were recently removed to reduce fiscal pressure on the federal exchequer.

Impact on Staff and Future Outlook

Addressing concerns about suspended promotions, the parliamentary secretary noted that a rightsizing committee, established under the prime minister’s directives, recommended the elimination of such cadres alongside a shift toward outsourcing services. He clarified that while current staff remain eligible for promotions under existing policies upon fulfilling their prescribed service periods, the ministry lacks the authority to independently reverse a decision sanctioned by the Cabinet. During the parliamentary session, MNA Neelam advocated for a review of the decision, highlighting the long-term service of the affected employees and requesting that the matter be referred back to the Cabinet for further consideration. The government maintains that the policy is a uniform requirement across all federal ministries rather than an isolated action against the NHMP. This restructuring is part of a wider effort to streamline the federal workforce, similar to initiatives aimed at improving efficiency in other state-run institutions like those seen in agricultural support programs or national security operations, as the government seeks to manage resources amid evolving national requirements.