In a significant stride toward administrative reform, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a comprehensive system of bi-monthly performance evaluations for all federal ministries. This decision marks a pivotal step in Pakistan’s transition toward a results-oriented, transparent, and responsive government structure. The new approach is designed to enhance public service delivery, optimize governance, and instill a culture of efficiency and accountability across all tiers of the federal system.

The announcement came during a high-level strategy meeting convened at the Prime Minister’s Office, where Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for Pakistan to break free from outdated bureaucratic norms and adopt modern governance principles. The Prime Minister described the performance evaluation mechanism as a “non-negotiable standard for accountability,” one that would replace complacency with competitiveness and ensure each ministry is actively contributing to national development.

The Framework for Performance Evaluation

Under the new model, every ministry will be assessed once every two months based on clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These KPIs will reflect the unique mandates and service responsibilities of each ministry but will commonly include:

  • Timeliness and effectiveness in delivering public services
  • Progress on development and infrastructure projects
  • Fiscal discipline and budget utilization
  • Transparency and adherence to procurement laws
  • Integration of digital systems and automation
  • Responsiveness to public grievances and citizen feedback
  • Inter-departmental coordination and reporting efficiency

A centralized Performance Monitoring Cell has been established under the supervision of the Prime Minister. This unit will be responsible for compiling ministry-wise data, preparing analytical reports, and presenting findings during federal cabinet meetings. It will function in close coordination with the Ministry of Finance and Planning Commission to ensure that performance metrics are aligned with fiscal realities and national development targets.

Empowering Ministries Through Expert Recruitment

One of the key innovations in the new reform package is the encouragement for ministries to recruit domain experts, technocrats, and policy consultants to strengthen their institutional capacity. Ministries will now be permitted to onboard professionals on contractual terms to drive technical reforms, policy innovation, and data management capabilities.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that effective governance today requires subject-matter expertise, not just administrative experience. He stated that ministries must be empowered to make evidence-based decisions supported by competent professionals. This marks a sharp departure from previous reliance solely on traditional bureaucratic structures and reflects a commitment to professionalizing government operations.

Digital Transformation as a Core Objective

The performance evaluation strategy places a strong emphasis on digital governance. Ministries are being directed to digitize key services and develop real-time monitoring systems. The integration of e-governance platforms, online dashboards, and automated reporting systems will be a prerequisite for achieving satisfactory performance grades in upcoming evaluations.

The government plans to introduce a unified digital portal to track the progress of each ministry’s key initiatives. This platform will be accessible to both government auditors and public stakeholders, promoting transparency and reducing the time lag in decision-making. Ministries that lag behind in automation and digital transformation may face administrative scrutiny and resource reallocations.

Institutional Reform and Cultural Shift

The move towards bi-monthly reviews is part of a broader institutional reform agenda that aims to shift the internal culture of ministries from a process-driven mindset to a performance-driven one. Prime Minister Shehbaz believes that governance in the 21st century must be agile, responsive, and citizen-focused.

The evaluations are also expected to trigger structural improvements such as:

  • Departmental reorganization to eliminate redundant roles
  • Reallocation of underutilized budget lines
  • Process re-engineering to reduce procedural bottlenecks
  • Introduction of Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) within departments

By creating an environment of accountability and recognition, high-performing ministries may receive enhanced budgetary allocations, while consistently underperforming departments will be subject to internal audits, administrative reshuffling, or leadership reviews.

Transparency, Public Trust, and Development Goals

One of the core objectives behind this initiative is to rebuild public trust in governance. By establishing performance benchmarks and publicly reporting progress, the government seeks to foster a culture of transparency. Citizens will eventually be able to track their ministry’s progress through a public dashboard an initiative expected to empower the public, media, and civil society in holding officials accountable.

Furthermore, the new system supports Pakistan’s broader economic and social development goals. With better governance comes more efficient use of resources, higher investor confidence, and stronger alignment with international development partners. The government also hopes this system will support effective implementation of its commitments under global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Next Steps and Implementation Timeline

The first round of bi-monthly evaluations is expected to begin within the next eight weeks. Ministries have been directed to prepare internal performance reports, nominate focal persons, and begin data entry into the newly developed government performance management system.

Simultaneously, training sessions are being rolled out for public officials to familiarize them with evaluation tools, digital systems, and performance reporting protocols. Senior civil servants have been briefed to cascade these reforms down to subordinate offices to ensure holistic implementation.

The Prime Minister also plans to introduce a reward system for ministries that consistently meet or exceed their KPIs. These may include increased autonomy in project execution, direct budget support, or national-level recognition for exemplary service.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to enforce bi-monthly performance evaluations represents a paradigm shift in how Pakistan’s government measures success, allocates resources, and delivers results to its people. It reflects a deep recognition that public sector performance must be managed with the same rigor and urgency as any thriving enterprise in today’s competitive global environment.

This reform isn’t just about monitoring ministries it’s about reshaping the very foundation of Pakistan’s administrative machinery. With determined leadership, expert integration, and digital transformation, Pakistan’s governance landscape is poised for a historic transformation that prioritizes performance, professionalism, and public service above all else.