Citizens demand greater budget transparency at Umerkot dialogue

Umerkot, May 3, 2025 – A stakeholder dialogue titled “The Role of Citizens in the Budget-Making Process” was held today in Umerkot, organized by the Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) in collaboration with AWARE. The event brought together activists, experts, and community members to discuss ways to enhance public participation in budgetary decisions.

Experts Stress Need for Public Awareness

Noted technocrat Karim Bux Shaikh emphasized the importance of citizen engagement in budget formulation and tracking. “Understanding how budgets are made and monitored is a critical component of good governance,” he said. “When citizens are informed, they can hold authorities accountable and ensure funds are used effectively.”

Social activist Ali Akbar Rahimoo acknowledged the complexity of budget processes but highlighted AWARE’s efforts to simplify them for public understanding. “Many people find budget documents difficult to interpret, which limits their ability to engage,” he noted. “Through awareness campaigns, we aim to bridge this gap so that community needs are reflected in development plans.”

Calls for Transparency and Accessibility

Other speakers, including Nusrat, Rajab Ali, Baboo, and Lachmi, shared insights on budget formulation at federal, provincial, and local government levels. Participants unanimously called for:

• Public access to all departmental development budgets

• Greater transparency in fund allocation and spending

• Mechanisms for citizen feedback to improve planning

Attendees stressed that open budgets would empower communities to track projects, demand accountability, and contribute to more efficient resource utilization.

A Step Toward Inclusive Governance

The dialogue marks a growing push for participatory budgeting in Sindh, where marginalized communities often lack access to financial decision-making. By engaging citizens in budget discussions, organizers hope to foster a more inclusive and responsive governance system.

“Budget transparency isn’t just about numbers—it’s about ensuring public money serves public needs,” said one participant. “This dialogue is a crucial step toward that goal.”