ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday approved the surrender of Rs265 million to the national exchequer as part of efforts to support the government’s ongoing austerity drive amid economic pressures.
Read More: 25 vehicles of PA grounded as part of austerity drive
The move follows austerity measures announced earlier this month by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aimed at conserving fuel and reducing expenditures in response to the global energy crisis triggered by the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
🇵🇰 Chairman Senate approves surrender of Rs. 265 Million to National Exchequer as an Immediate Measure
Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani directed Senate Secretariat to implement #AusterityMeasures in line with austerity drive announced by Prime Minister of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/PXDSXmEawd
— ꜱᴇɴᴀᴛᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴘᴀᴋɪꜱᴛᴀɴ 🇵🇰 (@SenatePakistan) March 27, 2026
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In a statement shared by the Senate of Pakistan, the chairman directed that the amount be surrendered immediately to the Finance Division. He also instructed the Senate Secretariat to identify further savings in the coming weeks by curtailing non-essential expenditures.
Gilani stressed the importance of fiscal discipline, stating that the Senate, as a key constitutional institution, remains committed to supporting national efforts for economic stability. He called for strict adherence to austerity measures, including rationalising expenses, reducing operational costs, and ensuring efficient use of resources without affecting parliamentary functions.
The statement added that transparent and accountable financial practices would continue to be prioritised, alongside safeguarding public funds and maintaining smooth legislative operations.
Earlier, on March 17, Gilani had directed the implementation of wide-ranging austerity steps within the Senate Secretariat. These measures are expected to cut more than 50% of the remaining budget utilisation for the current fiscal year, potentially generating additional savings of Rs700 to Rs750 million.
Separately, the Economic Coordination Committee recently approved a Rs100 billion supplementary grant for the prime minister’s austerity fund, aimed at supporting petroleum price subsidies.
Read More: Government to tighten austerity drive as fuel supply worries grow
Officials say these steps reflect a broader push by the government and institutions to manage resources efficiently and mitigate the economic impact of rising global energy costs.