Beyond budget arithmetic
Yet a more fundamental question is rarely asked — what is the budget ultimately meant to achieve, and does it reflect a clear long-term national purpose? In principle, the budget is the state’s main instrument for promoting growth, improving public services, reducing poverty and raising living standards. In Pakistan, however, it has increasingly come to resemble an accounting exercise: mobilise sufficient revenue to finance a growing state and meet fiscal benchmarks agreed with the IMF.
- ▪Yet a more fundamental question is rarely asked — what is the budget ultimately meant to achieve, and does it reflect a clear long-term national purpose?
- ▪In principle, the budget is the state’s main instrument for promoting growth, improving public services, reducing poverty and raising living standards.
- ▪In Pakistan, however, it has increasingly come to resemble an accounting exercise: mobilise sufficient revenue to finance a growing state and meet fiscal benchmarks agreed with the IMF.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Beyond budget arithmetic Ehsan Malik Published June 5, 2026 0 The writeris a former CEO of Unilever Pakistan and of the Pakistan Business Council Listen to article 1x 1.2x 1.5x comments Join our Whatsapp Channel Add Dawn as a trusted source EVERY June, Pakistan’s budget season follows a familiar pattern: business groups repeat their proposals for relief, the government defends its targets, and taxpayers prepare for additional burdens. Yet a more fundamental question is rarely asked — what is the budget ultimately meant to achieve, and does it reflect a clear long-term national purpose? In principle, the budget is the state’s main instrument for promoting growth, improving public services, reducing poverty and raising living standards.
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