Cabinet okays abolition, merger of 82 depts

The federal cabinet on Tuesday approved abolition and merger of 82 departments and agencies falling under six federal ministries and divisions into 40 in the first phase of the rightsizing of the federal government. The meeting of the federal cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, at the same time constituted a committee to suggest measures required for protection of rights of the employees to be affected by merger and abolition of these departments and organizations. The cabinet also formally approved the continuation of austerity policy involving complete ban on purchase of new vehicles, equipment, fresh employment and foreign visits on public expense.