he federal budget is a formal statement of the government’s plans for taxation and spending. It explains government’s priorities, links the Executive with the Legislature and ensures parliamentary accountability. In Western kingdoms, the contest for budgetary control began centuries ago and was seen as a defining trait of the relationship between the subjects and their monarch.

The modern budget system originated in the 19th Century Britain. The Executive proposes the budget, the Legislature approves it and the Executive, along with the Parliament, oversee its implementation. During the 20th Century, the budget process increasingly became a principle tool for Legislative scrutiny and Executive control of subordinate departments in the United States. In most developing countries, the budget is a vehicle for Legislative scrutiny of administration.

In Pakistan, the budget process goes through four stages: first, issuance of Budget Call Circular, proposals for revenue and expenditures by ministries and divisions and finalising of the plans by the Finance Ministry; second, approval of the plan by the federal cabinet; third, the presentation of the budget before the parliament for its deliberation and eventual vote on it; finally; and fourth, the presidential assent.

The constitution specifies the role of the parliament and elaborates upon the relationship between the parliament and the Executive during the budget-making........

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