Gilani rolls out austerity drive, projects Rs750m savings

ISLAMABAD:

Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced a “wide-ranging austerity measures”, projecting a reduction of more than 50 per cent in the Senate Secretariat’s remaining budgetary utilisation for the current fiscal year, translating into estimated savings of Rs700 to 750 million.

The chairman presided over a high-level meeting at the Senate Secretariat to review and implement austerity measures in light of the prevailing economic situation, focusing on significant cuts in Senate expenditures, beginning with substantial reductions in the budget of the Chairman’s Office.

Adopting a top-down approach to fiscal discipline, Gilani directed that austerity measures must begin at the highest level.

Accordingly, significant cuts have been ordered in the operational budget of the Chairman’s Office, setting a precedent for all departments to follow.

Gilani issued directives for the immediate enforcement of austerity measures across the Secretariat. These include a complete ban on foreign travel, a 50 per cent reduction in POL (petrol, oil, and lubricants) consumption, the grounding of 60 per cent of official vehicles, a strict ban on non-essential procurements, and the implementation of salary deductions or contributions in line with government policy.

Additionally, administrative arrangements have been introduced for human resource management, including rotation-based pick-and-drop facilities aimed at minimizing operational costs and reducing fuel consumption.

Any future procurement will be subject to review and approval by a dedicated Senate Austerity Committee.

As a result of these measures, the Senate Secretariat expects to reduce more than 50 percent of its remaining budgetary utilization for the current fiscal year, resulting in estimated savings of Rs700 to 750 million.

Gilani emphasised that public office is a sacred trust requiring the highest standards of financial prudence.