Pakistan's budget transparency jumps 50%, outpaces regional peers

Pakistan's budget transparency score rose from 30 to 45 out of 100 between 2023 and 2025, a 50% improvement over two years, according to the Open Budget Survey 2025 from the International Budget Partnership (IBP). Mettis Link News reported the findings, which were also shared on X by Khurram Schehzad.

Pakistan now sits above India (44), Sri Lanka (43), Bangladesh (37), Nigeria (24) and China (19) in the survey. The Enacted Budget score improved from 33 to 50, while the Executive Budget Proposal reached 57. The Year-End Report, which had earlier come out late, now scores 52, while public participation climbed from 15 to 22, lifting Pakistan past the global mean of 17 and the Asia-Pacific mean of 18.

The IBP credited the gains to the Year-End Report being posted online on time and to fuller detail in the Executive Budget Proposal. Public participation was lifted by wider stakeholder consultations, clearer communication, engagement before and after the budget, and more parliamentary input. Separately, a US State Department Fiscal Transparency review also pointed to wide access to the Enacted Budget, independent audit oversight and a sound legal framework for the sovereign wealth fund. Greater disclosure lets lawmakers, the public, companies and investors see how state funds are collected, used and audited.