Gilani launches austerity campaign, plans savings of 750 million rupees

ISLAMABAD:

Senate President Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced “far-reaching austerity measures”, forecasting a reduction of more than 50 percent in the remaining budgetary utilization of the Senate Secretariat for the current fiscal year, translating into an estimated savings of Rs 700 million to Rs 750 million.

The President chaired a high-level meeting at the Senate Secretariat to review and implement austerity measures in light of the current economic situation, focusing on significant reductions in Senate spending, starting with substantial reductions in the budget of the Office of the President.

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

As a result, significant cuts were ordered in the operational budget of the Office of the President, setting a precedent for all departments to follow.

Gilani issued directives for the immediate implementation of austerity measures across the Secretariat. These include a total ban on foreign travel, a 50 percent reduction in POL (petrol, oils and lubricants) consumption, the immobilization of 60 percent of official vehicles, a strict ban on non-essential purchases and the implementation of deductions or contributions from salaries in line with government policy.

In addition, administrative arrangements have been put in place for human resource management, including rotational transfer facilities aimed at minimizing operational costs and reducing fuel consumption.

Any future purchases will be subject to review and approval by a dedicated Senate austerity committee.

With these measures, the Senate Secretariat plans to reduce its remaining budgetary utilization for the current fiscal year by more than 50 percent, resulting in estimated savings of Rs 700 million to Rs 750 million.

Gilani emphasized that public service is a sacred trust requiring the highest standards of financial prudence.