South Asian Business news and information

Pakistani government is going to have a new style in budget making from next year. The government would describe the condition of men, women, boys and girls in its budget from next. According to the news published in Khaleej Times, Pakistani province of Punjab are given necessary orders to adopt this new budget style. I am quoting from the report:

The Punjab Government has, for the first time, issued policy guidelines to its provincial departments asking them to prepare gender-sensitive budget for the year 2007-8, to ensure that needs and interests of women and men, girls and boys and other segments of society are adequately addressed.

A budget call circular, recently issued by the provincial finance department in respect of financial year 2007-8, contains specific instructions/guidelines for all provincial departments to be observed by them while preparing budgetary estimates.

The Gender Responside Budgeting Initiative (GRBI) project was undertaken by the Pakistani government in 2005. This project was financed by UNDP. The organization provided $1.044 million as financial aid to Pakistani government. The new approach will be in full swing from next year. At present, it is used in making budget of two districts: Gujrat and Rajanpur. 

The main features of this new approach is that it would :

• address the needs of men and women and the poor people of the country.
• consider the contribution of males and females in the national economy.
• promote transparency in determining the goals of the government.

In Pakistani society, till now, males are considered superior over females. The females did not have any place in the country’s economy. Now, the scenario is changing. Pakistani government has started to appreciate females and their contributions in the national levels. This is a big step toward establishing equality between males and females by the government. I wish Pakistan all the success with this new approach. 

Related articles:

Daily Times

Khaleej Times