Rs 3,000
The Citizens’ Report on the Performance of the 13th National Assembly of Pakistan: Budget Session 2011-2012 takes a close look at the 31st Session of the 13th National Assembly of Pakistan, held from June 03-23, 2011 where the current parliament passed its 4th Federal Budget. “Power over purse strings” or the “power of the purse” is an incontestable democratic fundamental. This essentially means that there is an obligation on elected representatives of the people in the Parliament to ensure that all revenue and spending measures they authorize, legally and constitutionally, are fiscally sound, match the needs and aspirations of the population with equity, and that they are being implemented appropriately and efficiently. It further symbolizes that It is “we the people” who make and implement the budget for themselves. This report, therefore, is an evaluation of the discharge of this responsibility from the citizens perspective. The report provides an insight into the performance of the National Assembly in terms of the budget process and various aspects of the discussion and debate that took place during these 21 days. The objective of the report is not to offer a critique on the budget, rather to highlight the process that governs its formulation and passage through the legislature.
