Civil & Pension Costs Surge Despite Mass Post Cuts

ISLAMABAD: Despite loud downsizing boasts — 150,000+ posts axed last year, 54,000 more vacant jobs killed — federal civil administration and pension spending have exploded again, with Q1 FY26 showing double-digit surges, Dawn reports. Running of Civil Government hit Rs161.2B (Jul–Sep), +13% YoY from Rs142.5B. Over five years, costs have ballooned 80% from Rs89.5B → Rs161.2B. Full-year FY25 topped Rs892B. Pensions bled Rs249.5B in Q1, +10% YoY, +125% since Q1 FY22 (Rs111B). FY25 total: Rs911B. Subsidies swung wildly — Rs120B Q1 vs Rs20B last year. Annual FY25: Rs1.298T. Reforms promised Rs56B savings — yet expenditure tsunami rolls on.