Process Of Budgeting

in Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION:
The Budget of a country reflects its social,
economic, fiscal and financial
responsibilities.
It also reflects the govt policies which it
has for future of the country.

THE BUDGETING PROCESS:

Constitution:
In Pakistan legal system, various provisions
relating to budget appear in the constitution.
The budget when proposed is a bill before the
parliament & once accepted is an act of
parliament.
The procedure for general bills establishes that
a bill can originate in either in national assembly
or in senate.

CONTINUE..
Once passed by the house in which it
originates, it is transmitted to another
house & if passed without amendment, is
passed to the president for approval.
The president must give his approval
within 30 days.
Once it receives presidential approval, it
becomes a law.

ROLE OF NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY:
Before its presentation to N.A., the budget
is discussed by cabinet & approved.
The rules then provide that the budget
shall be presented to N.A. by the finance
minister on a date determined by the head
of the house.
No other matter is discussed on the
Budget day.

CONTINUE.
There then follow a period of at least two
days before any discussion of the budget.
At least four days must then be allocated
for budget discussion.

BUDGET DEBATE IN NATIONAL

ASSEMBLY:
The annual budget system is generally
presented at the N.A. during the 2 nd week
of June and is passed by the beginning of
last week of June.
This process generally leaves 12 to 17
working days for the various stages in
budget debate.

 ROLE OF SENATE IN BUDGET

PROCESS:
Since 2003, it has been a requirement
that the budget statement is copied to the
senate at the same time as its
presentation to the N.A.
The senate may discuss the budget
proposal & make recommendation to the
N.A.

ROLE OF PARLIMENTARY
PARTIES:
The parliamentary parties dont make
organized advance preparation for budget
debate.
Some parties do hold meetings during
two days break b/w presentation and
debate & are briefed by financial experts.

 ROLE OF STANDING
COMMITTEES:
There are currently 41 N.A. standing
committees, each corresponding to a
federal ministry or division.
However, the current structure and
practice excludes standing committees
from any role in budget process.

 PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATION
WITH CIVIL SOCIETY:
No pre or post budget consultation
process is held.
However, this is essential before to
budget announcement, the total available
funds, rather than any alternative to govt
spending policies.

THE
END.