Perspective of Syed Asad Ali Shah on structure of our government
“Why does Pakistan, with limited resources, have over 39 administrative divisions, while the US—the largest economy in the world—runs with just 15? ”
In my humble view, long-term 5-year plans, often prepared by planning ministries, have historically remained wishlists, detached from the real-world budgeting process. These plans, crafted in isolation, have little to no influence on the actual financial allocations or priorities set by the Ministry of Finance and provincial finance departments. A review of Pakistan’s federal and provincial budgets over the last 30 years reflects this disconnect.
The problem?
Planning and budgeting are not integrated. This makes such plans more of an academic exercise rather than a tool for actionable development.
The solution?
It’s time to merge the Planning Ministry with the Finance Ministry. This restructuring would:
Save significant time and money.
Reduce administrative overlap.
Make planning more realistic and aligned with fiscal priorities.
Why should a resource-constrained country like Pakistan sustain 39 divisions across 33 ministries (plus countless attached departments & agencies), when countries like the US operate effectively with just 15? The same streamlining and restructuring should be extended to the provinces, where similar overlaps exist.
Less bureaucracy. Smarter planning. Better results.
It’s time to rethink the structure of our government to make it more efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with Pakistan’s development priorities.