ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Communications has called for a sweeping overhaul of Pakistan Post, including digitisation, financial restructuring, loss prevention and commercialisation of its vast property portfolio, while a committee member proposed privatisation of the cash-strapped postal service. The proposal came up during a meeting of the committee chaired by Pervaiz Rashid, which reviewed the administrative operations, digital transformation, financial position and automation plans of Pakistan Post, besides matters relating to the National Highways and Motorway Police (NH&MP). Senator Talha Mahmood proposed privatisation of Pakistan Post, arguing that the institution was still operating through outdated procedures despite rapid advances in artificial intelligence and modern technology. Senator Kamil Ali Agha also expressed serious concern over the performance of Pakistan Post, saying its operations were not compatible with the modern technological environment and public confidence in the institution had declined. He questioned why private courier companies could deliver parcels across cities through relatively lean workforces and online systems, while Pakistan Post, with a huge nationwide network, had failed to achieve similar efficiency. The committee was informed that Pakistan Post has 9, 946 post offices, 85 General Post Offices, 743 franchise offices, 53 Mail Offices and six international mail exchange hubs, with 21, 213 regular employees. The department also has around 4, 500 riders nationwide and provides traditional mail, express mail, remittance and various agency services. Officials said around 60 percent of Pakistan Post’s revenue was linked to agency functions, while the shifting of military pension disbursements and savings bank operations to commercial banks had adversely affected its traditional revenue base. The Director General Pakistan Post told the committee that shortage of funds was the major hurdle in introducing modern technology and automation. The department’s vendors have outstanding dues of around Rs6. 4 billion, making it difficult to maintain even routine operations. Officials said Pakistan Post spends around Rs19 billion annually on salaries, while funds sought for technology and innovation during the last three to four years were significantly higher than the amounts actually released. The committee was informed that the 2, 761-post-office automation project had been reactivated with Rs1. 36 billion financing through the EXIM Bank of Korea under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The committee recommended the release of the Rs1. 36 billion allocation for the Korean EXIM Bank-funded automation project and directed Pakistan Post to accelerate its implementation. Officials said the project would initially cover selected post offices and would subsequently be expanded. The department has also sought government funding to support implementation and plans to procure mobile devices as part of the automation initiative. The committee stressed that Pakistan Post should not limit digitisation to internal operations but should develop e-commerce and logistics services, introduce online networking solutions and exploit its nationwide infrastructure to generate new revenue. The committee also directed Pakistan Post to prepare detailed plans for revenue generation, undertake comparative studies of private courier companies and examine ways to commercially utilise its valuable real estate. Officials cited private courier operators as an example of the transformation taking place in the logistics market. The committee noted that TCS has around 980 express locations, about 2, 800 offices overall, 12, 000 regular employees and 8, 000 riders, highlighting the growing competitive pressure on Pakistan Post. The committee further sought details of Pakistan Post’s annual losses during the last three years and examined complaints relating to loss, theft and pilferage of domestic and international parcels. The DG Pakistan Post informed the committee that international mail operations had also been affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He said there were daily concerns about possible disruption of international mail services, but the department was making efforts to keep the system operational despite difficult circumstances. The committee also reviewed Pakistan Post’s steps towards a cashless economy and was informed that the department had signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Bank of Pakistan, while pilot work was being undertaken in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Separately, the committee took up matters relating to the National Highways and Motorway Police, including employees serving on deputation and officials continuing to work after retirement. Senator Saifullah Abro raised the issue of 331 officers on deputation who, according to him, had completed their prescribed tenure but had not been repatriated to their parent departments. He said the rules did not allow an individual to remain on deputation for more than five years, whereas some officials in the Motorway Police had allegedly remained there for as long as 25 years. The committee directed the DIG NH&MP to write to the Establishment Division for action against officials continuing to serve in the Motorway Police after retirement. The Chairman also directed the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Communications, to conduct an inquiry and take necessary action. The committee also discussed allegations of corruption, toll collection and contracting issues in Sindh. Officials informed the committee that disciplinary action had been initiated against 178 officers in Sindh, while a zero-tolerance policy was being followed against corruption. The committee also examined the case of an official, Khalid Makhdoom, who, according to Senator Saifullah Abro, had retired in July 2025 but continued holding his position. Officials said the matter relating to his date of birth was sub judice and that he had obtained a stay order from the court. The committee recommended that the Establishment Division be formally approached and officers who had completed their deputation periods be repatriated to their parent departments in accordance with the rules. The New Gaj Dam project also came under scrutiny, with Senator Saifullah Abro pointing out that its cost had increased from Rs12 billion initially to Rs45 billion and subsequently to around Rs85 billion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Senate body calls for a sweeping overhaul of Pakistan Post
RELATED ARTICLES
