Punjab Assembly Secretariat Saves Rs. 770 Million Under Austerity Drive

By Muhammad Shahzad
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly Secretariat has saved Rs. 770 million (Rs. 77 crore) under an austerity drive and surrendered the amount to the national exchequer, officials said.
The savings were achieved following directives from Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, in line with the cost-cutting policies of the federal and provincial governments.
According to an official statement, the Secretariat undertook a comprehensive review of expenditures and implemented a series of measures aimed at reducing operational costs. As part of these steps, the Speaker announced he would forgo his salary and refrain from availing official perks and privileges. The use of personal vehicles was also encouraged to minimize protocol-related expenses.
Under the austerity campaign, deductions were made from the salaries of Members of the Provincial Assembly, while officers in Grade-20 and above contributed two days’ salary. Fuel consumption for official vehicles was cut by 50 percent, contributing significantly to the overall savings.
Electricity usage was also reduced, with more than 111,000 units saved over a period of two months, reflecting the impact of energy conservation measures.
Authorities further imposed a complete ban on non-essential purchases and halted new procurement. Official foreign visits were suspended, and spending on events and entertainment was curtailed. Meetings of standing committees were conducted via teleconferencing to reduce operational costs.
Officials described the Rs. 770 million savings as a strong example of financial discipline and efficient resource management, underscoring the institution’s commitment to supporting the government’s broader austerity agenda.