Technical Session on State of Economy & Annual Budget 2025-26 for Honourable Members of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab

June 21, 2025 FUNCTIONARIES, MEMBERS, Policy Dialogue, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), with the support of the @European Union in Pakistan – funded Mustehkam Parlimaan Project, successfully organized a Technical Session on State of Economy & Annual Budget 2025-26 for Honourable Members of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on Saturday, 21 June, 2025 in Old Assembly Hall, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab.
The event was attended by 180 participants, including 113 Honorable Members of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab and officers from different sections/wings of the Assembly Secretariat. The seminar aimed at equipping the participants about the concept of budget, constitutional provisions for the budget, economic challenges and budgetary implications for Punjab and role of Parliamentarians in budget particularly in development expenditures, public finance management and fiscal oversight. Mr. Khalid Mehmood, Secretary (Parliamentary Affairs) presented an overview of procedure in budget vis-à-vis budget tools. Mr. Usama Khawar Ghumman, Advisor to the Speaker apprised the participants on constitutional provisions related to budget and the powers and functions of the legislature related to financial oversight. Mr. Ahmad Bilal Mehboob, Parliamentary Expert delivered a presentation on Punjab’s key economic challenges and the implications of the 2025–26 budget on development priorities, while highlighting the role of Parliamentarians in shaping public finance decisions, overseeing expenditures and ensuring effective fiscal accountability and service delivery. Mr. Ahmad Iqbal Ch. MPA and Chairman of PAC moderated a Panel Discussion where experts including Mr. Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, Chairman NFC/Former Minister Finance; Dr. Wasim Shahid Malik, Senior Consultant MuP; Mr. Muhammad Adnan Azeem, CFO National Assembly of Pakistan; Mr. Aizaz Asif, Acting Team Lead Mustehkam Parlimaan Project and Mr. Ahmad Rafay Alam, Environmental Lawyer addressed questions on key topics such as a historical comparison of the Punjab Province’s budget, NFC Award, Climate Change, development expenditures and budget allocations, global best practices of budget-making, working of IMF program in Pakistan and understanding budget books and key focus areas therein for the Parliamentarians. Mr. Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, eulogized the quality of PIPS Publication and urged the Members Assembly to make full use of this valuable resource. Mr. Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, Honourable Speaker Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in his concluding remarks, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the organizers and facilitators in successfully conducting the budget seminar and addressing the questions of the Members. He highlighted the significance of budget-related orientations in enhancing the knowledge and capacity of Members of the Assembly, enabling them to engage more effectively in legislative and budget process. Furthermore, he apprised the participants of key reforms and initiatives undertaken in the Assembly Secretariat aimed at improving services and support for the Members. He also provided a brief overview of upcoming initiatives designed to further strengthen institutional efficiency and performance. PIPS team under the able guidance of Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research) comprising Ms. Tehseen Khalid, Mr Khurram Shehzad and Mr. Tanzil ur Rahman organised the event in support of MuP
🤝 This initiative reflects the shared commitment of the @European Union in Pakistan and PIPS to promote informed, inclusive, and accountable parliamentary governance in Pakistan.

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.

Technical Session on State of Economy & Annual Budget 2025-26 for Honourable Members of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab

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