Islamabad, July 11; PILDAT and Social Policy Development Centre-SPDC jointly organized a seminar on Federal Budget 2013-2014 in Islamabad today. Speakers at the Seminar included Dr. Hafiz Pasha, Senior Technical Advisor and Founder of SPDC; Former Federal Minister, Mr. Asif Iqbal, Secretary, SPDC and Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President, PILDAT.

Terming the Federal Budget 2013-14 as highly ambitious, Dr. Hafiz Pasha, presented a detailed analysis of the Federal Budget 2013-2014, which was passed by the National Assembly of Pakistan on June 28, 2013. He said success in achieving higher growth hinges on containing load-shedding and improving law and order situation in the country. There is a high likelihood of return to double-digit inflation and IMF program may lead to more stabilization but less growth. The balance of payments remains vulnerable even with the IMF program unless it releases at least US $3 billion in 2013-14, added Dr. Pasha. He further said that there was a need for provinces to devote more resources to social development in their fiscal Budgets.

Earlier in his introductory remarks, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT, laid emphasis on a number of required reforms in Budget process including Effective operationalisation of Change in National Assembly Rules, Powers to Committees to Review Budget after the Presentation of the Budget and Increase in Time to Debate/ Scrutinize Budget.

A large number of representatives of Media, Civil Society, Academia, Government Officials and Members of National Assembly participated in the Seminar.