PM seeks proposals to abolish Pak PWD

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sought proposals to abolish the Pakistan Public Works Department (PWD), one of the oldest government departments since Pakistan’s inception.

Additional Secretary of Prime Minister Office Sara Aslam has written a letter to the secretary Housing and Works in which he was conveyed directives from the prime minister to prepare a comprehensive plan to abolish the PWD. Top officials of the Ministry of Housing and Works have been directed to come up with a plan after consultations for the closure of the PWD currently having over 7000 employees, in one week.

The proposals would also contain proposals regarding the future of a large number of employees of different cadres from lower scales to above. The PWD is custodian of most of government properties and buildings and responsible for maintenance work and executing development and infrastructure works from Gilgit to Skardu. At present, as per estimates, the PWD is executing development works worth Rs 60 billion in various parts of the country. The PWD was established in 1854 by Lord Dilhousie and after Independence renamed as the Pakistan Public Works Department. Presently, it is an attached department of the Ministry of Housing and Work.