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24th May, 2011 RK AAK, RD, MT, PPG, Staff KA, Mali & NIS One day seminar on We demand budget for MDGs on 21st May,2011.

Awaz foundation and Journalist for Democracy and Human Rights (JDHR) organized the pre budget seminar to highlight the importance of MDGs (millennium development goals) and demand that these goals should be reflected and be made part of the national and provincial budgets on dated 21st May, 2011 in Islamabad. There were participants from diverse background, including students, civil societys members, teachers, doctors, Government officials, Government, Semi Government and Non Governments institutions attended the seminar. KA, Mali and NIS represented the Foundation. Program started with the briefly introduction of the program and participants by Shafqat Munir (JDHR). Seminar was consisted on different presentations, experts of government, non government, economist, and analysts presented their presentations. Mr. Zia Ur Rehman from AWAZ foundation presented his presentation which were consist on the process of preparing, formulation Pakistan budget, issues, stakeholders, challenges and opportunities. He briefly discussed budget cycle, it has four STAGES through which budget passes, 1) 2) 3) 4) Formulation Enactment stage Implementation Audit

In formulation stage budget proposals for various ministries/ department are put together by the Finance ministry. These proposals submitted by provincial, national ministries and district government etc. Process stats in October in every year with the issuance of Budget Call Circular (BCC), Finance ministry and advisory committee estimates the budget of proposed budget. Development, non development and current expenditure estimates prepared separately by Finance ministry and advisory committee. While development budget sent to planning commission for ADP (Annual development plan). After this priority committee

meets in April for the evaluation and prioritization of the projects. Then this budget document discussed sector wise in early May every year, NEC meeting held in June chaired by prime minister, its sets economic and budgetary priorities. After passing through NEC budget approved in federal sitting. In second stage Finance Minister presents the budget in National assembly, discussion on budget by parliamentarian, legislature, and adopted either intact or with amendment. The third stage is implementation, budget implemented through provincial government. Through proper way provincial government allocate the funds to districts according to the pre planned budget. In Audit, the Auditor General of Pakistan conducted the assessment of the process of financial governance, after auditing they issues certificate of audit. During this process many issues and challenges occur, only assembly members have authority to negotiate and right to raise question through cut motion. Most of the government representatives have very little knowledge about budget, and budget document not properly discussed with cabinet, and its mostly presents just before the budget speech. Moreover he compared Global best practices and Pakistan regarding annual budget which have many lack ness and deficiencies in practice. Fayyaz Baqer from IRM shared that the role of civil societies, ordinary citizen and every habitant in budget making process, further he added that every citizen, lay man of Pakistan is tax payer, but he dont know what they are actually paying. It needs to aware them and to motivate them how they can get their rights. He continue his discussion with the sharing of importance of research, and role of it in solving issues and helpful to bringing new system. He shared his different experiences of actual situation of rural areas of Pakistan. And also emphasized on evidence issues based research and their optimal solutions. Rana Riaz saeed member of National steering committee GCAP presented MDGs report 2010, this report included MDGs sets by government and its progress graph which were below then many south Asian countries. He focused on health and education, and budget allocation for them. He shared that Pakistan spending 1.8% of GDP on education and 0.4 % on health in 2002-2005. He also discussed different MDGs sets in Pakistan, which were Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Achieve universal primary education Promote gender equality and women empowerment Reduce child mortality Improve maternal health Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases. Ensure environmental sustainability Develop global partnership for development

The achievements of these MDGs are below then even 10% while most of them are still not evaluated and till 2015 it seems quiet difficult to meets these goals. So the demand was government must reduce the defense budget allocation and other non development budget and allocate at least 4% of GDP each for education and health. Economist PIDE Dr. Zafar Moeen shared his presentation and current economic condition of Pakistan, he shared that due to mismanagement government faced crises, and he shared the best utilization of existing resources and avoid misuse and exploiting them. He also shared that proper execution of direct and indirect taxes and agriculture tax is huge sources of income so we can meet our goals through proper planning and implementation. He also shared the some major cases of mismanagement and corruption. He also suggested that the relief on subsidy and other support program which are ongoing for the reduction of poverty, spending the budget round about 370 billions, if this budget allocate for the basic needs of ordinary person such as Flour, Sugar, Cooking Oil, and tea, then it can reduce poverty about basic needs of food so far. Suggestions and questions session were held for way forward, participants gave their input, suggestion and raised questions about awareness, transparency, accountability within system and also mechanisms of accountability. Participants suggested that gross root representation is necessary and to implement the projects fairly they needs local government system. Agricultural is huge part of our income which is exempt of tax net, so it was suggested to bring it in income tax net . Mr. Sajjad Ahmed Sheikh Joint Secretary Ministry of Finance shared the process of issuing finances and its auditing as well as the role of finance ministry in budget. Seminar concluded with the following demands. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Local government system should be establish Tax should be implemented on agriculture. 4% of GDP should be allocated to health and education each. Citizenship monitoring committee 02 billion rupees should allocated each district through local government system as in coming budget it is suggested to allocate 280 billions for the developmental sector. 6) A slogan Nine is mine also created by them, for the allocation of 9% of GDP for health and budget. Mr. Sajjad shared that its already near to 8 % so we should demand more then 8%, so for next year slogan can be Twelve is our. Seminar was ended with the vote of thanks by Shafqat munir.