The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency has welcomed the stronger budget scrutiny carried out on the Federal Budget 2026-27 by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, saying the process marks a meaningful step toward deeper parliamentary oversight of public finances.
In its remarks, PILDAT noted that the committee, chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar, MNA, spent considerable time examining the budget in detail. The committee held a series of meetings to review budgetary proposals, listen to government officials, stakeholders and experts, and assess taxation and spending measures before they were taken up by the National Assembly.
The organization said this level of engagement reflects a growing understanding of the important role parliamentary committees play in ensuring accountability, transparency and better fiscal decision-making. According to PILDAT, committee-led review allows lawmakers to study proposals more closely and consider their wider impact before they are finalized.
PILDAT also praised Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for supporting an environment that allowed the committee to carry out meaningful scrutiny of the budget. The group said such facilitation strengthens Parliament’s constitutional role and helps create a more informed and responsive budget process.
Over the years, PILDAT has repeatedly called for greater parliamentary involvement in budget making, urging that standing committees be given enough time, technical assistance and institutional support to study budget proposals in depth. It said the experience of the Federal Budget 2026-27 shows how effective budget scrutiny can improve the quality of financial oversight and better reflect citizens’ interests in the national budget process.
