Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made it unequivocally clear that underperforming federal ministries will no longer operate with impunity. In a recent address during a federal cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister issued a stern warning that ministries and departments failing to meet clear performance benchmarks will be held accountable in both administrative and political terms. This announcement is part of a larger national initiative aimed at reshaping Pakistan’s governance structure into one that is responsive, efficient, and results-oriented.

In an effort to shake the traditional inertia embedded within public institutions, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized that governance must now deliver tangible outcomes. The time for leniency, underperformance, and bureaucratic complacency has passed. The new policy introduces strict performance evaluations, and ministers have been informed that continued inefficiency will result in disciplinary action, which may include removal from office, reassignment, or administrative audits.

A Formalized Review System for Ministry Performance

To ensure accountability is consistently enforced, a structured and institutionalized bi-monthly evaluation system has been introduced. Under this system, all federal ministries are required to submit detailed progress reports every two months. These reports are evaluated against predefined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which vary based on the specific mandates and strategic objectives of each ministry.

The performance review process will not only focus on internal metrics such as project completion rates and fiscal discipline but will also evaluate the public impact of ministry policies, including service delivery efficiency, citizen satisfaction, and responsiveness to community needs.

Ministries that perform well will be acknowledged and possibly rewarded through increased autonomy, larger development budgets, or leadership recognition. Conversely, those that continue to fail will face full-scale scrutiny, including the possibility of internal restructuring and leadership changes.

Linking Governance to Economic and Social Objectives

This policy shift is not occurring in isolation. It is directly aligned with Pakistan’s broader economic stabilization and development agenda. The federal government is actively working to rebuild public trust, attract foreign investment, and implement structural reforms aimed at boosting national productivity and resilience. To achieve these outcomes, Prime Minister Shehbaz has made it clear that every federal institution must function at its highest capacity.

The Prime Minister referenced the successful fiscal discipline observed in certain departments, like the Planning and Development Ministry, which has managed funds with efficiency and accountability. These departments are now being held up as models of good governance, and other ministries are being asked to emulate their example.

The government’s macroeconomic targets such as increased revenue generation, improved infrastructure development, digital transformation, and expanded social protection will only be possible if federal ministries function as high-performance entities.

Structural and Administrative Support for Reforms

To support this accountability initiative, several institutional changes are being introduced:

  • A dedicated Performance Monitoring Unit (PMU) has been established within the Prime Minister’s Office. This body will compile reports, conduct independent evaluations, and facilitate inter-ministerial coordination.
  • Specialized cabinet committees have been formed to assist in reviewing performance data, identifying systemic challenges, and guiding ministries in course correction.
  • Ministries will now have the authority to recruit domain experts and technical specialists, particularly in underperforming sectors like energy, education, and health. This infusion of talent is expected to accelerate policy implementation and modernize service delivery.
  • Training programs and digital tools will be rolled out to enable better project tracking, resource management, and citizen engagement across all federal departments.

These institutional enhancements are aimed at ensuring that performance accountability becomes a sustainable, long-term component of Pakistan’s federal governance model not a temporary campaign.

Public Disclosure and Transparency

One of the most transformative aspects of this reform is its emphasis on transparency and public oversight. Prime Minister Shehbaz stated that ministry performance reports will be shared publicly, allowing citizens, civil society organizations, and the media to evaluate the government’s performance in real time.

This level of transparency is expected to fuel a constructive culture of scrutiny, where ministries are incentivized to meet targets not only to satisfy the executive branch but also to retain public confidence. Ministries that receive poor reviews may face pressure from both parliament and the public to justify their shortcomings and lay out specific plans for improvement.

Additionally, ministries will be required to develop action plans for each evaluation cycle, detailing how they intend to address weaknesses, optimize resource use, and improve efficiency.

Implications for Political and Bureaucratic Culture

This initiative marks a fundamental departure from the traditional culture of Pakistani governance, which has often allowed inefficiencies to fester without consequence. Under this new regime, political appointments will no longer shield individuals or departments from performance-based evaluations. Ministers are being told in clear terms that their tenure will depend on their ability to deliver meaningful results.

By introducing a performance-first culture, Prime Minister Shehbaz is attempting to redefine how power and responsibility function in Pakistan’s federal system. Ministries must now become engines of innovation, responsiveness, and service traits that were previously deprioritized in favor of protocol and hierarchy.

This reform also sends a strong signal to international partners, including donors and multilateral organizations, that Pakistan is serious about governance reform. Transparent reporting, outcome-based metrics, and periodic reviews are essential elements in building global confidence in Pakistan’s institutional capacity.

Looking Ahead: Next Steps in Implementation

The first round of bi-monthly performance evaluations is already underway. Ministries have been instructed to compile internal progress reports, set quantifiable goals, and digitize their service metrics. The results of these evaluations will be discussed in upcoming cabinet meetings, where ministries will be ranked, commended, or questioned based on their outcomes.

The government is also working on launching a public performance dashboard an online platform where citizens can track the progress of different ministries in real time. This will enhance accessibility, foster transparency, and reinforce accountability at all levels.

In tandem, legal reforms are being considered to embed performance reviews into the Rules of Business that govern federal institutions. This would ensure that accountability remains a permanent feature of Pakistan’s administrative framework, regardless of political leadership changes.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s declaration that underperforming ministries will be held accountable is not just a political statement it is a clear policy direction. By institutionalizing bi-monthly performance reviews, enabling expert recruitment, enhancing transparency, and imposing real consequences for non-performance, the federal government is setting a precedent for modern governance in Pakistan.

This reform has the potential to reshape the public sector, improve service delivery, and restore public confidence in the state. If implemented fully and consistently, it could serve as a model for provincial and local governments, encouraging a nationwide shift toward accountable, effective, and citizen-centric governance.