Provincial Budget Process in Provinces of Pakistan

A provincial budget starts when the Finance Department issues the Budget Call Circular. Departments submit their estimates, the Finance Department and P&D Department review current and development expenditures, and the draft budget is approved by the Chief Minister and Provincial Cabinet. It is then presented in the Provincial Assembly as the Annual Budget Statement under Article 120. The Assembly discusses the budget and votes on demands for grants. After the Finance Bill is passed, the Speaker certifies it as a Money Bill and it is sent to the Governor for assent. After assent, it becomes law for the new financial year. The basic constitutional route is the same in all provinces: Provincial Government → Provincial Assembly → Governor’s assent.