PIPS Technical Session on State of Economy & Budget 2025-26 for MPAs of Balochistan

June 18, 2025 CIVIL SERVANTS, FUNCTIONARIES, MEMBERS, MEMBERS, ORIENTATIONS, Policy Dialogue, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), with the support of the European Union funded Mustehkam Parlimaan (MuP) project successfully organized a one-day post-budget Seminar on State of Economy-Challenges & Policy Recommendation for the Honourable Members of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at Serena Hotel, Quetta. Around 70 participants including 25 MPAs attended the event.

The event commenced with the recitation of Holy Quran by Mr. Shah Fahad. Mr. Taj Muhammad Deputy Director PIPS moderated the session. Mir Shahi Mazar Baloch, Director General (Administration) PIPS presented the welcome remarks. On behalf of Executive Director, PIPS Mr. Baloch welcomed the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Member of the Balochistan Assembly, expressing gratitude to the Secretary and MuP team for their support. He emphasized the historic connection between budgeting and democracy, rooted in the Magna Carta and major revolutions.

The event comprised four sessions facilitated by subject experts. In the first session, Mr. Tahir Shah Kakar, Secretary of the Balochistan Assembly, explained the budget procedures outlined in the Rules of Business of the Balochistan Assembly. He also discussed the constitutional and procedural framework that guides the budgeting process in the Province, emphasizing the necessity of legislative oversight and the role and timetable of the standing committees on budget. His detailed briefing helped Members of the Balochistan Assembly gain a clearer understanding of their roles in monitoring and shaping fiscal policy, ultimately promoting transparency and good governance.

In the second session, Mr. Aizaz Asif, Acting Team Leader and Senior Advisor on PFM, emphasized the importance of fiscal oversight and the legislators’ role in ensuring accountability, transparency, and efficient use of public funds. He identified common budgetary loopholes and stressed evidence-based audits, timely budget implementation, and audit reviews. Mr. Aizaz, through his presentation of practical suggestions and international best practices, sought to enhance the Assembly’s ability to effectively oversee state spending and ensure fiscal discipline in Balochistan.

In third session, Dr. Wasim Shahid Malik presented a clear overview of Pakistan’s economic challenges and opportunities in the context of the 2025–26 budget. He highlighted inflation, fiscal deficits, and the need for structural reforms, offering valuable insights for Balochistan’s lawmakers to make informed, development-focused budget decisions.

Following this,an in-depth discussion on the Balochistan Budget 2025-26 was carried out by Mr. Ahsan Achakzai, Assistant Professor in BUITEMS. He highlighted key economic challenges such as low development spending, limited revenue generation, and regional disparities. He emphasized the need for better fiscal planning, evidence-based policies, and equitable resource distribution to address Balochistan’s socio-economic issues.

On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.

PIPS Technical Session on State of Economy & Budget 2025-26 for MPAs of Balochistan

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