About 100 women, youth, persons with disabilities, religious minorities and transgender persons from KP’s districts of Abbottabad, Buner, Nowshera, Lower Dir, and Malakand presented their consolidated priorities for inclusion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Budget FY2026-27 at a Pre-Budget Consultation organized by #AawazII and #omarasgharkhanfoundation. This event marked the culmination of a series of disrict-level dialogues support by Aawaz II to help vulnerable communities define their priorities and resource needs.

Equipped and functional Darul Amans in each district, trained police staff, and legal aid were recommended to better respond to gender-based violence. Community engagement and public information campaigns were also prioritised to prevent violence against women and girls. Allocations for expanded birth registeration and training of registrars and Nikah Khwans were demanded to prevent early age marriage. Dr. Yasmin Zaidi, Aawaz II Team Lead highlighted the economic gains from investing in prevention. Citing a UN Cosing Study, she said that “$800 Million was the estimated annual GDP loss due to child marriage.” Allocation to the Police Department for setting up Tahaffuz Centres for transgender persons, and inclusive education, employment and sporting facilities for persons with disabilities and non-Muslim citizens, especially women were also among the priorities presented by vulnerable communities.

In his keynote address, KP’s Advisor Finance Mr. Muzammil Aslam confirmed support to the identified priorities. He said, “the priorities presented by vulnerable communities are important and not resource intensive. If these are included by relevant departments in their budgets, I assure you they will be favourably considered for allocation in the upcoming budget.” The Advisor Finance appreciated Aawaz II’s consistent efforts in giving the government the benefit of inputs from communities that are vulnerable due to gender, poverty, ability or faith. He recalled that similar efforts by Aawaz II in the preceding fiscal year had helped the government align budget allocations to the needs and aspirations of the marginalized. He lamented that some of the priorities presented last year appeared again this year indicating government inaction. Mr. Aslam stressed that strategic allocation of funds was as important as its effective implementation for impactful results.

In her opening remarks, Dr.Sumera Shams, Chair KP Commission on the Status of Women and Aawaz II’s KP Forum, commended Aawaz II for providing platforms for citizen engagement with government on the provincial budget. “These opportunities are even more important for women and other vulnerable groups as their voices and concerns are often peripheral or completely unheard,” she pointed out.

Senior officials from the Finance, Planning & Development, Social Welfare & Women’s Empowerment, and Auqaf & Religious Minorities Departments and representatives from the KP Commission on the Status of Women, KP Child Protection & Welfare Commission, Ombudsperson’s Office, and the National Commission on Human Rights also participated in the pre-budget consultation.