Pakistan Post may fire employees as the government considers workforce reductions to cut the department’s annual losses, which could reach Rs. 19 billion after pension expenses, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan told the Senate on Tuesday.
Pakistan Post employs around 22,000 people, while figures presented to the Senate listed a provincial staff strength of 15,051. Employee-related expenses are among the major contributors to the department’s operating costs.
Minister said the government is preparing a policy to reduce operating costs, with privatization also under consideration.
Responding to a question from Senator Shahadat Awan, Aleem Khan said the government was examining options to reduce the postal service’s financial burden. A detailed restructuring plan will be presented to the Senate.
Pakistan Post currently operates 9,707 units nationwide, including 2,887 departmental post offices, 6,735 extra-departmental offices and 85 formations.
The government is considering workforce reductions as one of the measures to control spending.
Pakistan Post’s annual losses stand at around Rs. 12 billion before accounting for additional pension expenses. Including these costs could push the total to between Rs. 18 billion and Rs. 19 billion.
The restructuring policy will determine how the government intends to reduce costs while maintaining postal services.
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