KARACHI: Pre-budget forum demands access to documents
KARACHI, March 30: The pre-budget Public Forum, organized by the Pakistan Peoples Party, Sindh Women Wing at the provincial assembly building in Karachi Thursday, suggested thorough debate at the formulation stage and specially stressed on demystifying the budget by gradually reducing secrecy and increasing transparency.
The forum was of the view to set out budget policies and priorities at least two months prior to the budget speech and stressed the need for full debate before start of the new fiscal.
It recommended simplification of the budget documents in terms of language and form for greater access and understanding, besides provision of the same to the public and the media with more access to information, including briefings on the budget.
It further suggested building links with civil society organizations in the budget formulation process, allowing them to give analysis on issues under consideration and what they believe ought to be priorities, hold public hearings of finance/budget committee to receive evidence from chambers of commerce and other groups affected by the budget.
The forum also called for involving legislature, political parties, consumer groups, citizens and economic groups in the budget making process.
Stressing on making the budget gender sensitized, the forum proposed establishment of a department to examine gender policies of all the departments. It also prepared sector-wise recommendations.
MNA Mujeeb Pirzada, MPAs Syed Murad Ali Shah, Ms Shazia Mari, who is also chairperson of the PPP finance committee, Sindh women wing and host of the forum, Anis Haroon of Aurat Foundation, senior journalist Sabihuddin Ghousi and others also spoke.
MPA Syed Murad Ali Shah presenting overview of the budget-making process lamented that the provincial assembly had been turned into a rubberstamp forum, where the budget was passed in a hurry within a few days without proper debate.
He said that no public accounts committee had ever finalized its report on provincial budgets since 1973 and the cut motions submitted by the opposition were considered by treasury benches as a matter of ego.
Mr Shah also criticized the prime minister saying that he has failed to fulfil his constitutional obligations with regard to the NFC Award.
“Under the current NFC Award, Sindh gets Rs57 billion as its share from divisible pool and it would receive Rs70 billion under the new arrangement,” he said.—PPI
