NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. PHOTO: ONLINE
He was addressing the certificate distribution ceremony of the 104th National Management Course and the 19th Senior Management Course at the National School of Public Policy.
The speaker congratulated the participants for successfully completing their courses.
“This effort is not only important for individual careers but also for the system,” he said.
He appreciated efforts of the administration and the faculty of National School of Public Policy and the National Management College.
Sadiq said that the country had inherited a strong bureaucracy and a powerful judicial system.
“Unfortunately, the nation has struggled to create a sustainable legislative service structure,” he said.
He said since he had taken up office as the National Assembly speaker, more than 17 universities had begun offering courses in parliamentary studies.
“The National Assembly has established a legislation drafting unit and is preparing young officials through an in-house job training programme,” he said.
The Speaker said all inductions in the National Assembly were being made through the Federal Public Service Commission.
“Two years ago, I formed committee of seasoned parliamentarians to develop a comprehensive and multi-dimensional five-year strategic plan which could enable us to cope with challenges of legislation, oversight and representation.”
He said the committee had introduced the idea of energy conservation.
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“We decided to make our parliament green by introducing solar energy for the building,” he said.
The speaker said there were 100 fresh graduates who had joined various branches of the National Assembly to learn dynamics of parliamentary democracy.
“I also ordered constitution of a Millennium Development Goals task force. Speakers of provincial assemblies have also constituted similar forums,” he said.
“We have been proactive in engaging parliamentarians all over the world. Today the National Assembly has 88 friendship groups with international parliaments.”
“So far, we have welcomed guests from Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, the European Union, Argentina, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Korea and Cuba,” he said.
The National Assembly speaker said Kashmir issue had been raised at every international forum including the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC).
“We are planning more conferences on the Kashmir issue, population control, fundamental rights and countering terrorism,” he said.
He said the parliament had taken a firm stance against terrorism.
“First, the government was urged to find a solution through dialogue. Later, the parliament approved Operation Zarb-i-Azb,” he said.
“So far, 73 government bills and three private members bills have been passed by the assembly. As many as 15 ordinances have also been laid before it and 136 resolutions on a wide range of subjects have also been passed.”
He said that parliament reflected the aspirations of the nation.
“It is important for all institutions of the state to assist this sovereign body,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2016.
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