Speaker cuts 220 jobs in NA Secretariat

Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq cut 220 jobs in the National Assembly Secretariat on Thursday as part of an austerity drive aimed at saving Rs1 billion annually by reducing unnecessary expenditures and eliminating redundant positions.

Although an official statement has not yet been issued, officials familiar with the development told The Express Tribune that the decision was made to streamline the NA Secretariat. This decision has sparked significant job losses but aims to save the national treasury a staggering Rs1 billion per annum.

The officials said the measures were approved during a Finance Committee meeting chaired by the NA Speaker, where the committee endorsed the austerity plan aimed at optimizing the secretariat’s operations.

The reorganisation, which has already completed two of its three phases, is part of a broader austerity drive intended to cut unnecessary government spending. The first phase of the restructuring cut 90 positions, resulting in savings of over Rs255.26 million per year.

The second phase involved removing 130 more positions from grades 1 to 19, contributing an additional Rs307.5 million in savings. Combined, these steps have already saved over Rs563 million annually, while the upcoming third phase is expected to add another Rs400 million in yearly savings.

The officials said the focus of these reforms is to ensure the secretariat functions efficiently while maintaining transparency in job appointments, promotions, and resource allocation.

In addition to slashing 220 jobs, the Finance Committee has also halted further recruitment within the secretariat and formed a sub-committee to review the National Assembly Secretariat Employees Act of 2018.

The sub-committee will propose amendments to align the Act with the Civil Servants Act of 1973, ensuring that staffing levels meet the assembly's actual needs. The committee also made adjustments to the ESTACODE’s contract termination clauses, leading to further cost savings.

In a bid to enhance transparency and efficiency, a ‘Ticketing and Lodging Committee’ has also been established, comprising representatives from all relevant departments of the secretariat. The committee will streamline operations, clarify responsibilities, and improve performance evaluation, ultimately leading to further savings.

The meeting also decided to initiate the digitization of the National Assembly Secretariat, aiming to reduce paper usage through modern technology. The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has already begun work on the project.

Earlier in 2021, the federal cabinet decided to go paperless, and since then, it has been conducting paperless meetings in an attempt to transition the government to the digital world.

Meanwhile, the Speaker also directed that the construction of additional blocks in the Parliament Lodges be completed on time to meet the set deadlines.

Previously, officials said, the Speaker had initiated cost-reduction measures, including the transition of the Parliament House to solar energy, which resulted in significant annual savings.

However, the current cuts highlight a delicate balance between fiscal responsibility and the human cost of austerity.