The Aviation Division has now officially become part of the Defence Ministry following a decision approved by the federal cabinet.
The Defence Ministry has issued formal instructions directing all relevant agencies, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and the Airport Security Force (ASF), to coordinate all operational matters with the Defence Ministry.
This integration is part of a broader governmental effort to streamline operations and reduce expenses. Earlier, the federal government shared details about the ministries targeted for restructuring based on a committee’s recommendations. This initiative, known as Wave-1, involved reviewing and restructuring several ministries to cut down governmental expenditures.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the first wave included the ministries of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON); Information Technology and Telecom; Industries and Production; National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination; and the Capital Development Authority (CDA). These changes have resulted in the reduction of 80 entities associated with these ministries to 40.
Read: Pakistan Government Dissolves SAFRON Ministry
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb elaborated that under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the committee merged the Ministries of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan with SAFRON and completely abolished the CDA. He noted that this consolidation significantly reduced the number of governmental entities, reflecting a more streamlined administrative structure.
Looking ahead, Minister Aurangzeb indicated that the committee is set to continue its work under Wave 2, which will assess additional ministries, including the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Commerce Division, the Ministry of Housing and Works, and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. From the 60 entities currently under these ministries, the plan is to wind up 25, reduce 20, and merge or shift nine, furthering the government’s goal of a more efficient and cost-effective administration.
