The National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat approved the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on Thursday, paving the way for potential job losses in the civil service. The committee, however, insisted on protections for employees affected by the government’s administrative restructuring and downsizing efforts.

Chaired by MNA Malik Ibrar Ahmad, the committee instructed the Establishment Division to keep dismissals to a minimum and redeploy surplus staff to other government departments where possible. A comprehensive and equitable severance package for those facing termination was also deemed necessary.

The Establishment Division Secretary briefed the committee, explaining that the government’s reforms aim to enhance efficiency and reduce expenditures through strategic rightsizing. He noted that the existing Civil Servants Act, 1973, allows for terminations on a casebycase basis but lacks provisions for largescale workforce reductions.

The amendment seeks to establish the legal framework for these reforms, ensuring either continued employment through surplus pools or compensated dismissal. The committee unanimously endorsed the bill without modifications.

Beyond the Civil Servants Bill, the committee also approved the National School of Public Policy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, replacing the term “Federal Government” with more specific institutional references as per Cabinet directives.

Finally, the Asaan Karobar Bill, 2025, received the committee’s approval. This bill, spearheaded by the Board of Investment (BOI), seeks to simplify and consolidate business regulations. The Additional Secretary BOI stated that Pakistan’s complex, colonialera regulations needed streamlining to improve business competitiveness and attract investment. A special unit within the BOI will oversee regulatory mapping, simplification, and modernization.

Several MNAs, including movers of the bills, and senior officials from relevant divisions were in attendance.