An eight-member sub-committee, led by MNA Bilawal Azhar Kayani, has been formed to conduct a detailed review of the functions and performance of Pakistan’s foreign missions, following the directives of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the sub-committee includes additional secretaries from various ministries and the joint secretary of the Institutional Reforms Cell.
In June last year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif constituted a 12-member committee, headed by FM Ishaq Dar, to evaluate the efficiency and operations of Pakistan’s diplomatic missions abroad.
The “Committee on Rationalising Pakistan’s Missions Abroad” was established to improve the effectiveness and financial efficiency of these missions.
Members of the Committee:
The 12-member committee, under the leadership of FM Ishaq Dar, included:
- Federal Minister Musadik Malik
- Ahad Khan Cheema
- Jam Kamal Khan
- PM’s aide Tariq Fatemi
- Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik
- MNA Bilawal Azhar Kayani
- Dr. Farrukh Saleem
- Secretaries of Commerce, Economics, Foreign Affairs, and Cabinet Division
Terms of Reference (ToRs):
- Analyze the size and number of Pakistan’s foreign missions in comparison to their scope, national requirements, and socio-economic benefits.
- Recommend a structured plan to optimize the missions for efficiency.
- Examine the functions of these missions and align their roles with Pakistan’s long-term national interests.
- Suggest improvements in the missions’ internal structure and define quantifiable performance targets.
- Address any additional concerns related to the committee’s scope.
- The committee may co-opt additional members if required.
The notification further stated that the committee must submit its recommendations within 30 days for the prime minister’s consideration.
“The Cabinet Division (Institutional Reforms Cell) shall provide secretarial support to the committee.”
