5 days ago
Experts urge fiscal reforms before budget
Says reforms have been introduced in Rescue 1122 and other emergency services for effective health service. PHOTO: AFP
Experts at a pre-budget dialogue on Wednesday called for inclusive fiscal reforms in the upcoming budget to empower children and women that get least attention in the fiscal discourse of the country as a residual component.
The dialogue on 'Strengthening Fiscal Policies for Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Advancing Child and Gender-Responsive Public Investments' was jointly organised by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, UNICEF Pakistan and Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
The dialogue, which mainly focused on aligning Pakistan's fiscal strategy with inclusive growth goals, brought together key government officials, economists, development partners and civil society representatives to deliberate on reorienting fiscal frameworks toward equity, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
The speakers said that with a budget deficit of over 6.8 per cent of the GDP and debt levels exceeding 70 per cent, there is an urgent need to safeguard and expand investments in health, education, nutrition and social protection. Despite tax revenues below 10 per cent of the GDP, they said, development for children and marginalized groups cannot be delayed.
Insights from UNICEF's Public Expenditure Reviews (PERs) revealed a persistent gap between policy commitments and actual social sector allocations, notably in provinces like Sindh where education spending has dropped to 1.8 per cent of GDP.
Anchored in the government's Uraan Pakistan programme - specifically the equity and empowerment pillar — the speakers called for targeted fiscal shifts toward inclusive and people-centred development. Key priorities include digital literacy, green skills, education access, and civic engagement, especially for women, youths, and underserved communities.
