Public feedback key to transparent budgets
Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam Vice Chancellor Dr Altaf Ali Siyal has emphasised that transparency in budget-making can only be achieved by incorporating public feedback and fostering effective collaboration between the citizens and government institutions.
He expressed these views while addressing an awareness seminar on the "Citizen Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26," organised by the Finance Department, Government of Sindh, in collaboration with the SAU on Monday. Siyal lauded the Sindh government for taking what he described as a commendable and people-centric step by actively involving citizens in the budget formulation process. He noted that research institutions must play a practical role in shaping public policy and budget development through surveys and evidence-based recommendations.
"This approach ensures that the budget is not only transparent but is also reflective of the real needs of the people," he added. Highlighting the value of public participation, the SAU VC said that the "citizen budget" concept promotes participatory governance and helps build mutual trust between the government and the people. Additional Secretary of the Finance Department and Director of the Economic Reform Unit Muhammad Afzal Channa delivered a detailed briefing on the objectives and significance of the citizen budget. He explained that the initiative aims to present the annual budget in a simplified, easy-to-understand format, especially for the citizens without having a technical or financial background. "This initiative is a practical reflection of the government of Sindh's commitment to the open government and public financial management reforms," said Channa.
He noted that feedback for the citizen budget is collected from a diverse cross-section of society, including students, members of civil society and representatives from both public and private institutions. Structured questionnaires and surveys are used to gather public input, which is then considered during the budget formulation process. Professor Dr Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar also addressed the seminar.
The event was attended by former pro-vice chancellor of Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro Dr Syed Farman Ali Shah, SAU faculty members, researchers and a large number of students.