Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has emphasized the need to strengthen parliamentary oversight of public finances, stating that effective budget scrutiny is essential for transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.
Addressing a Knowledge-Sharing Seminar on Strengthening Senate Budgetary Review, organized by the Senate of Pakistan in collaboration with the Forum of Federations and Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Chairman Senate said the “power of the purse” remains Parliament’s oldest and most important responsibility. Referring to the historical roots of parliamentary financial oversight, he stressed that public resources must be managed with transparency and in the public interest.
Chairman Senate highlighted the Senate’s important role in reviewing budgetary matters and stressed that constitutional limitations should be seen as an opportunity to improve institutional effectiveness. He noted that the Senate’s recommendations on Money Bills contribute significantly to policy guidance and fiscal oversight.
Recalling the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment, enacted during his tenure as Prime Minister, Chairman Senate said the reform strengthened the federal spirit of the Constitution and enhanced the Senate’s institutional role.
He also underscored the need for stronger committee oversight, timely access to reliable fiscal data, and enhanced technical support for legislators. Referring to international best practices, he cited parliamentary budget oversight models observed during his visits to Austria and Ireland.
Chairman Senate expressed confidence that the seminar would help strengthen the Senate’s budgetary review process, improve committee effectiveness, and reinforce parliamentary scrutiny for better governance and public trust.
