The National Assembly of Pakistan, in collaboration of the Mustehkam Parliamaan EU-GIZ Project and the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) held a day long Parliamentary Seminar on State of Economy and Pakistan’s Debt Trap for Honourable Members of the National Assembly on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Constitution Room of the Parliament House. The Interactive Seminar organized as envisioned by Honourable Speaker National Assembly/ President PIPS Board of Governors Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, was attended by attended by more than 35 participants including cross party MNAs, experts on economy and public finance and fraternity of parliamentary researchers.
The proceedings began with inaugural session that included welcome remarks and introduction of agenda by Syed Shamoon Hasmi, A.S (Special Initiatives NA), Mr Muhammad Anwar PIPS Executive Director and Mr Pervaiz Abbas Deputy Team Leader (Mustehkam Parlimaan EU-GIZ-PIPS project). Mr Dawood Ahmed, Public Finance Management, Mustehkam Parlimaan, touched upon the Budget Books followed by salient features of Annual Budget Statements and Budget in Brief FY2022-23. Reputed Economist of the country Mr Waseem Shahid Malik, Adjunct Faculty of PIPS since 2014 elucidated on the state and challenges of Economy as well as the way forward both in short term followed by strategic imperatives for consideration of country’s top policy makers and MPs. He emphasized the need for enhanced focus on productivity of finished industries and advancement in agriculture to boost exports along with prioritizing viz a viz imports so that country does not waste precious exchequer on consumer-based commodities. Last but not the least, Mr Aizaz Asif, PFM Expert from Mustehkam Parlimaan threw light on available parliamentary authority especially with regard to role of parliamentary committees in actual participation during all steps of budget making, authorization and scrutiny of various ministries through out the year.
Honourable MNAs took keen part in the roundtable Q and A session as well as interactive deliberation to chalk down short term and long terms steps to be take for the Parliament, the government and respective institutions. All Hon Members of Parliament deliberated on imperative aspects of exports, debt and Pakistan’s efforts towards development. Hon MPs Mr Salahuddin, Ms Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ms Wajeha Qamar, Ms Romina Khurshid Alam, Ms Kiran Dar and Dr Shazia Aslam Soomro highlighted various set of recommendations towards enhanced human resource of the country. Parliamentary researchers also asked absorbing questions from the panel.
As per tradition since 2013-14, the Institute continues to offer special research and technical assistance to MPs of federal as well as provincial legislators during the budget presentation and debate through the PIPS Economy and Budget Desk of the Research wing. Hon. MPs eulogized the initiative of Honourable Speaker National Assembly/ President PIPS Board of Governors Raja Pervaiz Ashraf as well as the organizers for a wholesome deliberation on the challenges and way forward towards economic development of Pakistan.