Orientation session on legislation held for MPAs

KARACHI:

An orientation session was held to acquaint new members of Sindh Assembly with the process of legislation and governance under the Mustehkam Parlimaan (MuP) Project or strong parliament project.

According to a statement issued on Monday, MUP organised the New Members Orientation Programme with a commitment to bolstering legislative efficacy and governance in Sindh.

The MuP Project is funded by European Union and jointly implemented by GIZ and Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in collaboration with the Sindh Assembly.

Through comprehensive capacity-building initiatives, the programme aimed to equip newly elected MPAs with the requisite knowledge and tools for effective governance.

Mohsin Leghari, former parliamentarian, and Aizaz Asif, Technical Lead, MuP facilitated the sessions.

These sessions covered crucial aspects including rules of procedures & parliamentary oversight tools; parliamentary budgetary processes and public financial management and the functions of parliamentary committees. Sindh Assembly former speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro also shared his valuable experience and views on effective parliamentary work.

Speaker Awais Qadir Shah, extended his gratitude to GIZ, PIPS and the EU-funded Mustehkam Parlimaan project for organizing this crucial New Members Orientation session.

“The Sindh Assembly, being the primary assembly of Pakistan, holds a significant responsibility. As members, it is imperative that we come prepared and committed to our duties. We must embrace bipartisanship to ensure the progress of our province. Every piece of legislation should aim for the betterment of our people. Throughout my tenure, I will strive to involve every member in debates, ensuring that opposition members have ample opportunity to speak, even more than the treasury benches. Our collective efforts are essential in upholding the principles of democracy and serving our constituents effectively,” Qadir Shah added.

Attended by over 90 members, including deputy speaker, ministers and parliamentarians, the programme provided a platform for collaborative learning and exchange of ideas among the honorable members.

The orientation programme signifies a step towards fostering a culture of democracy, transparency, and accountability in Pakistan's parliamentary system.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2024.