RAWALPINDI:
The federal government’s proposed restructuring of Pakistan Post has sparked strong opposition from postal employees, with the Pakistan Postal Workers Federation announcing a nationwide protest movement and strike starting July 1 if the reforms, which it says could pave the way for the privatization, downsizing and closure of post offices, are not withdrawn.
The union has warned that the proposed measures would jeopardize the constitutional obligation to provide universal postal services and could negatively affect almost 120 million people, particularly those living in rural and remote areas.
The reforms, aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing financial losses and modernizing postal services, include major rationalization of the workforce, closure of loss-making post offices, digitalization of services and commercial utilization of postal assets. The Pakistan Post headquarters has already requested detailed information from all Circle offices to facilitate the implementation of the plan.
According to official documents, the restructuring strategy proposes reducing staff by up to 30% after a thorough review. In addition, proposals have been sought to close 20% of loss-making post offices, while staff at headquarters and field training could be reduced by up to 50% to reduce administrative and financial costs.
The department has directed the Circle Heads and Additional Director General (Administration) to submit details of inactive extra-departmental postal branches, surplus employees, vacant posts and their financial implications.
As part of the transformation programme, Pakistan Post plans to prepare a comprehensive business plan by inviting expressions of interest from consulting companies. The request for proposal (RFP) and tender documents are expected to be finalized within a month, while a consultant is likely to be appointed within three months.
The reform package also focuses on expanding e-commerce and logistics services. Authorities have been instructed to identify international partners, hold meetings with potential collaborators within two weeks, and complete the integration of WebOC and CDS systems to improve customs clearance and operational efficiency.
Under the digitization programme, 2,761 post offices will be automated in three phases over six months: 500 post offices covered in the first phase, followed by 1,000 in the second and 1,261 in the third.
To generate additional revenue, Pakistan Post intends to lease commercially viable and uncontested postal properties. Consultants or transaction advisors may also be appointed to maximize returns on government-owned assets.
The department has also ordered a detailed review of operational expenses, including fuel, maintenance and utilization of official vehicles and postmen’s motorcycles.
At an emergency meeting of postal unions, Pakistan Postal Workers Federation president Pervez Akhtar alleged that the proposed reforms would effectively undermine the government’s constitutional responsibility under the Universal Service Obligation (USO).
He said withdrawing subsidies would severely impact postal services for millions of people in underserved areas.
The federation maintained that nearly 40% of sanctioned positions remain vacant due to a prolonged recruitment ban, despite a substantial increase in population since 1988. It also alleged that a $55 million digitalization project launched in 2015 with financial assistance from Korea’s Eximbank was left incomplete after certain conditions were not met.
The union argued that employees should not be forced to bear the consequences of management shortcomings under the guise of reforms and warned that any downsizing or privatization would disproportionately affect female employees. He demanded the continuation of the USO subsidy, immediate hiring for vacant positions, the withdrawal of any privatization plans, and the restoration of previously profitable postal services, warning that failure to accept these demands would result in a national strike beginning on July 1.
