Editorial

When was the last time you and your friends, at one of your many outings, sat down and spoke about the National Budget? That you discussed how these government decisions would create ripples in your lives?

Probably never.

The National Budget is perhaps the most auspicious day in the economic context of the fiscal year. Proposals will be presented, decisions made and remade, inviting analysis, criticism, so on and so forth. And in my personal opinion, almost every sector that is discussed in the parliament has an impact on the lives of young people in our country. From agriculture to defence and education to sports, from ICT and housing to tobacco and energy – the youth has a relationship with each sector, and plays a significant (at times, invisible) role.

So, we ask, are our views, opinions, doubts, and support taken into consideration in the planning stage? There is an ongoing conversation on youth participation in national matters. However, when it comes to the budget, the youth and their perspectives are often put aside.

Do you not know that this budget that you're presenting, you're doing it for us?

-- Kazi Akib Bin Asad, Editor In-charge, SHOUT