LAHORE: In a move aimed at streamlining government departments and rationalising staff, the Punjab government has abolished 29,000 vacant posts ranging from BS-1 to BS-4.

This decision came in response to the chief secretary`s directive to identify longvacant posts and initiate staff rationalisation.

The Punjab finance department identified these vacant posts and subsequently notified their abolition in various government departments. The department issued more than two dozen notifications to this effect.

Also, the finance department communicated with all autonomous bodies, urging them to abolish 6,600 long-vacant posts under their respective purview. These bodies are now required to take action to eliminate these positions.

As part of the process, the finance department has requested details regarding vacant posts from the respective public departments.

When approached for comment regarding the decision to abolish the posts during the caretaker government, finance secretary Mujahid Sherdil chose not to respond.

It should be noted that Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman had tasked all administrative secretaries with the responsibility of identifying and presenting data on vacant posts and surplus staff in an upcoming meeting. The objective was to make administrative decisions based on this information. Mansoor Malik