Department of Economics, University of Wah, in collaboration with Pakistan Economics Frontier, organized a thought-provoking webinar titled “The Budget from a Women’s Perspective” on 26 June 2025 to advance gender-aware policy dialogue and advocate for inclusive fiscal strategies that uplift women nationwide. Chaired by Dr. Asma Arif, Chairperson, Department of Economics, the session featured a distinguished panel of experts from across Pakistan who critically examined the gender responsiveness of the national budget.
The panel comprised Saima Alyas, Subject Specialist Economics representing AJK; Dr. Gul Ghutai, Assistant Professor at Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University, Balochistan; Dr. Saima Khan, Head of the Department of Global Studies, GC University Lahore; Prof. Dr. Samina Khalil, former Director of the Applied Economics Research Centre, University of Karachi; and Prof. Sanam Wagma Khattak, Associate Professor at the University of Peshawar. Each speaker brought a provincial lens to the discussion, highlighting the gaps and opportunities within the current fiscal framework.
The discussion highlighted regional disparities in budget allocations and the need for equity- based, gender-sensitive fiscal policies. Key issues raised included inadequate maternal health funding, lack of infrastructure supporting women's mobility and education, and limited financial inclusion due to institutional and cultural barriers. The panel unanimously called for targeted budget reforms with measurable impact, emphasizing the importance of inclusive policies for women, particularly in marginalized and rural areas.
