Pakistan Abolishes Narcotics Control Ministry Under Rightsizing Policy

Islamabad: The Pakistan government has officially abolished the Narcotics Control Ministry as part of its rightsizing initiative aimed at reducing expenditures, a notification confirmed on Wednesday.

Under the new directive, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has been placed under the jurisdiction of the Interior Ministry. The move aligns with the government’s broader strategy to streamline governance and improve efficiency.

Earlier in July, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the need to rightsize various ministries, highlighting five key departments under review, including Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, SAFRON, Industries and Production, IT and Telecom, and Health.

He stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would make the final decision on these structural changes. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Aurangzeb also underscored ongoing reforms in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), reiterating the government’s commitment to minimizing the financial burden on lower-income groups.