LAHORE: Ahead of the crucial provincial budget debates, the Parliamentary Development Unit (PDU) of the Punjab Assembly, in collaboration with Unicef and UNFPA, initiated a two-day ‘Budget Literacy and Legislative Oversight Workshop’ for lawmakers on Wednesday.

The initiative aims to equip MPAs with the analytical tools and technical knowledge required to dissect fiscal proposals and participate meaningfully in the assembly’s budget sessions commencing this Friday.

Inaugurating the workshop, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan emphasised that while elected representatives are deeply attuned to their constituents’ grievances, robust legislative scrutiny demands a technical understanding of budgetary frameworks.

He stressed that informed debate and strict public expenditure oversight are vital to strengthening democratic governance and ensuring the judicious utilisation of public resources.

The opening technical session, titled State of the Economy, was conducted by renowned economist and former federal finance minister Prof Dr Hafiz A. Pasha.

Dr Pasha briefed the parliamentarians on Punjab’s current economic outlook, revenue trends, and the daunting fiscal choices ahead for the 2026–27 provincial budget.

Former Senator Mohsin Leghari facilitated a session designed to demystify complex budget documents, teaching MPAs how to interpret the provincial budget in plain language.

The workshop, attended by Unicef Punjab Chief of Field Office Ramiz Behbudov, UNFPA Provincial Lead Tania Durrani, and legislators from both sides of the aisle, will continue on Thursday.

The concluding day will focus on public financial management, budget execution, and mechanisms for effective legislative oversight.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2026