Government to Merge and Wind Up Several Science and Technology Entities to Enhance Efficiency

January 21, 2025 Mahi Bukhari

The government of Pakistan has taken a bold step to streamline operations and reduce administrative overhead within the Ministry of Science and Technology (S&T). In a recent federal cabinet meeting, several strategic decisions were approved, focusing on improving the performance of various government entities under the ministry. These measures include mergers, wind-ups, and lean optimization to achieve greater efficiency and reduce the overall workload.

These steps align with Pakistan’s broader strategy for rightsizing government bodies to ensure better utilization of resources. Let’s take a deeper look at the key proposals, their implications, and the overall goals of these reforms.

Key Proposals Approved by the Cabinet

Streamlining of Entities Under the Ministry of Science and Technology

The Ministry of Science and Technology oversees a variety of research and development organizations, councils, and institutes. The government’s decision to streamline these entities comes as part of a larger national rightsizing program aimed at eliminating inefficiencies. With the approval of several key proposals, several agencies are set to undergo mergers or winding up.

Aims of the New Reforms:

Reduce operational inefficiencies.
Streamline administrative functions.
Enhance overall performance across different science and technology institutions.

According to the cabinet’s decision, all entities set for restructuring will be required to submit implementation plans with specific timelines. These plans must be submitted to the rightsizing committee before the end of this month. A significant goal of this process is to reduce the scale of many organizations by 30%, aligning their operations with the actual needs of the workforce and improving overall efficiency.

Adjusting Staff-to-Officer Ratio

As part of the proposed changes, government entities under the Ministry of S&T will see a shift in their staff-to-officer ratio. Currently set at a 5:1 ratio, this will be adjusted to 2.5:1. This change reflects the government’s intention to better match staffing levels with the scale of work each organization is expected to handle.

Impact on Major Science and Technology Organizations

Several organizations have been directly affected by these changes. Below is a breakdown of how each will be handled under the new reforms:

1. Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR)

The PCSIR, one of Pakistan’s key scientific bodies, will undergo a comprehensive third-party review to assess its efficiency and need. The goal is to determine if it can function independently or should be merged with another entity to improve performance.

Planned Changes for PCSIR:

Third-party evaluation of its operational efficiency.
Possibility of merging with other research entities.
Reduction in workforce by 20-30% over the next two years.

2. Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC)

PNAC, responsible for certifying and establishing standards for a wide range of industries, will also undergo an in-depth review. This review will focus on its sustainability, both in terms of quality assurance and commercial viability.

Key Recommendations for PNAC:

Assess its potential to operate as a self-sustaining entity.
A detailed roadmap will be prepared to align its functions with the broader goals of national quality assurance.

3. Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and PASTIC

PSF and the Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre (PASTIC) face the possibility of being merged if third-party audits indicate that their performance and financial contributions can be more efficiently managed together.

Review Goals for PSF and PASTIC:

Measure their impact on the scientific community.
Determine if they can achieve self-sufficiency through grants and foreign contributions.

4. National Institute of Oceanography

The National Institute of Oceanography may face significant restructuring. There’s a proposal to transfer its functions to a university or another maritime institution. If no such institutions express interest, it may be shut down entirely by January 31, 2025.

Plans for Oceanography Institute:

Transfer its operations to an academic or maritime institution.
Conduct reassessment by January 31, 2025.

5. National Metrology Institute of Pakistan (NMIP) and Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA)

The NMIP and the PHA are slated for changes that will align them more closely with national goals. The NMIP, for instance, will eliminate vacant positions by October 30, 2024, while PHA will undergo a third-party review.

Proposed Changes:

Eliminate vacant positions at NMIP.
Perform efficiency evaluations of PHA by third-party experts.

Merging and Winding Up Other Key Entities

Several other organizations under the Ministry of S&T will also face the risk of merger or wind-up:

1. National Institute of Electronics (NIE) and Scientific and Technological Development Corporation (STEDEC)

The National Institute of Electronics (NIE) is set to merge with a suitable entity such as Nust, Nutech, or PCSIR. Meanwhile, STEDEC, which has played a limited role in technological development over the past 40 years, is slated for complete wind-up.

Plans for NIE and STEDEC:

Merge NIE with a relevant scientific body by January 31, 2025.
STEDEC will be wound up due to its limited impact on the technology sector.

2. Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC)

Both the PSQCA and PEC are undergoing digital transformations aimed at improving their processes. PSQCA will focus solely on its standard-setting role and undergo significant workforce reductions. PEC will implement risk-based licensing policies and focus on digital transformation.

Reforms for PSQCA and PEC:

PSQCA will streamline its operations and reduce its staff by 50%.
PEC will digitalize operations and reduce staff by 20-25%.

3. Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technology

The Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technology (PCRET) will be tasked with merging its research functions with academic institutions like Nust or Nutech. If no academic interest is shown, the commercial functions of PCRET might be privatized.

PCRET’s Future:

Merge research with academic institutions.
If no academic interest, commercial functions may be privatized.

New Roadmap for Universities Under the S&T Ministry

Several universities under the Ministry of S&T have also been tasked with improving their quality and global rankings. Institutions such as Nust, Nutech, and Comsats University Islamabad are required to submit a roadmap to achieve self-sufficiency and secure a place among the top 100 global universities within three to five years.

Goals for Universities:

Achieve self-sufficiency.
Improve global rankings within 3-5 years.
Annual tracking and reporting of progress.

Conclusion: Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Overhead

The government’s decisions to merge, wind up, and optimize various entities under the Ministry of Science and Technology reflect a strong commitment to improving operational efficiency and reducing the government’s financial burden. The ultimate goal is to create a streamlined, leaner Ministry of Science and Technology that focuses on core scientific and technological development.

By implementing these changes, the government aims to enhance productivity, reduce redundancy, and create an environment of self-sustainability within these organizations.

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of the mergers and wind-ups in the Ministry of Science and Technology?
The government aims to improve efficiency, reduce the workload, and enhance the overall performance of science and technology organizations by merging or winding up underperforming entities.

2. Will there be job losses due to the restructuring?
Yes, several organizations are expected to undergo workforce reductions, with estimates suggesting a 20-30% reduction in staffing across various entities.

3. What will happen to universities like Nust and Nutech under these reforms?
These universities are tasked with improving their quality, achieving self-sufficiency, and aiming for higher global rankings. They will also have to submit a roadmap for these goals.

4. How will entities like PSQCA and PEC be reformed?
PSQCA will reduce its workforce by 50% and focus solely on its standard-setting role, while PEC will digitize its processes and reduce its workforce by 20-25%.

5. Will the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) continue its operations?
PNAC will undergo a review to assess its viability. A roadmap will be developed to determine if it can operate as a self-sustaining entity.