Upper House of Parliament: Gilani, Aurangzeb discuss austerity measures

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb discussed on Friday the austerity measures being implemented in the Upper House of the Parliament— in the apparent backdrop of looming fuel crisis in the country.

The matters relating to financial discipline, institutional reforms, and the government’s austerity measures came under discussion, said a statement from the Senate Secretariat issued after the meeting.

The chairman Senate, according to the statement, informed the finance minister on the austerity and cost-cutting measures adopted by the Senate Secretariat, adding that the initiative had resulted in substantial savings.

“The finance minister appreciated the austerity drive undertaken by the Senate Secretariat and described the savings as a positive example of responsible governance, institutional efficiency, and financial discipline,” the statement said.

It quoted Gilani as saying that public institutions “must adopt practical measures to reduce unnecessary expenditures and ensure the efficient utilisation of national resources.”

He emphasised that simplicity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility are essential for strengthening democratic institutions and public confidence, said the statement.

“Both sides reaffirmed the importance of institutional cooperation and coordinated efforts to effectively address economic challenges and promote national development,” the press release said.

This March, the Senate Secretariat announced to have surrendered 265 million rupees to the Finance Division, on the chairman Senate’s direction, as part of the ongoing austerity drive.

The Senate estimated savings of Rs 700 million to Rs 750 million in the current fiscal year, said a statement issued then.

Conspicuously, the Senate’s austerity measures followed the reports that surfaced earlier in March suggesting that the Senate Secretariat purchased a luxury Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle worth Rs 90 million rupees for the chairman Senate. This move earned enormous public backlash, prompting the Secretariat to issue a clarification.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026