Industrialists call for urgent reforms to rescue Pakistan Post

Say neglect, mismanagement, corruption threaten vital national service

KARACHI:

Industrialists have urged the revitalisation of the Pakistan Post Office, stressing that with useful reforms, the institution could become profitable again. They stated that the Post Office is currently facing severe challenges due to prolonged neglect, mismanagement, and corruption. Despite offering essential services such as communication, remittances, and postal deliveries, the department is on the verge of collapse due to ineffective government policies and a lack of serious attention.

Muhammad Farooq Shaikhani, President of the Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry, called for crucial reforms to revive the organisation. He suggested digitalisation of services, public-private partnerships, improved services, and increased transparency and accountability as key measures.

According to data from the Pakistan Post Office, there are approximately 13,000 post offices nationwide, which is insufficient to meet the country's needs. In the fiscal year 2023, the department reported a deficit of Rs35 billion, highlighting its dire financial condition. Alarmingly, 83% to 87% of the institution's revenue is spent on staff salaries, further exacerbating its financial woes. Due to inefficiency, delayed courier services, financial scandals, and corruption within the department, both traders and the general public have lost trust in the institution. Even federal and provincial government departments primarily rely on private courier services, reflecting their lack of confidence in the public organisation.

While speaking with The Express Tribune, some officers of the department shared reasons behind the organisation's downfall. One officer stated, "We were giving hope to customers with some better services, just like some medicines to a patient. This is our national character to enjoy a blame game as officers of the department keep blaming the union of employees and shirking lower staff. Actually, if the officers are themselves reluctant to work, their subordinates are shirking work. The officers are responsible for this mess of the department. The ill-advised strategies, adopted by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI)-led government, also sped up the process of a complete collapse."

Until 2010, the department was generating profits of Rs1 billion to Rs2 billion and was operating effectively. However, rising inflation led the federal government in 2010 to implement a 50% to 60% salary increase, along with more privileges and allowances for government employees. While this move was positive, it took a heavy toll on the department. The increased salary bill caused a deficit and panic, leading to mounting losses and the government's perception of the department as a burden.

"This is a human resource decline in character, instinct, work, and enthusiasm in public departments as mostly government servants are not working properly in any organisations. If someone is sick, they are not gunned down. This organisation is a sick unit that calls for some fruitful reforms to raise it again," said another top officer of the department.