Dedicated broadcast channel to show all proceedings of legislative bodies: NA speaker

Ministers should issue policy statements in the national assembly rather than announcing it in the press conferences.

Speakers of the legislative assemblies of Pakistan agreed to have a dedicated news channel to broadcast the proceedings and other activities of the legislative assemblies. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:
Speakers of the legislative assemblies of Pakistan agreed to have a dedicated news channel to broadcast the proceedings and other activities of the legislative assemblies.

This was stated by the speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq while addressing a press conference at the Parliament House at the end of three-day 17th Speakers Conference. He was flanked by speakers and deputy speakers of legislative bodies of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa assembly could not attend the conference as he is serving as acting governor of the province, said Sadiq.

The NA speaker informed that the conference was also attended by ex-speakers and deputy speakers and the issues being faced the legislative assemblies were discussed in length including the issue of legislative drafting.

He further said it has been proposed that ministers should issue policy statements in the national assembly rather than announcing it in the press conferences.


He added that it was also agreed to strengthen the capacity of the officials and the members of the legislative assemblies to improve the legislative drafting.

Complaining about the performance of Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Studies (PIPS), Sadiq said the institute has done nothing except footing utility bills and incurring other unnecessary expenses. It has been decided to revamp PISP, said speaker national assembly.

He added that all the speakers have agreed to strictly follow merit while recruiting staff for the assemblies.

A pilot solar power project will be installed in parliament house with help of China aimed at introducing eco friendly power generation, said Sadiq.

He further added that the National library and speeches of the members will also be digitalized.

Earlier, The Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Annual Senate Report 2013-14 had proposed that a dedicated television station and/or radio channel should be launched to air the proceedings of all legislative bodies. The report had also suggested that all Standing Committees should have websites to reflect their performance, and their proceedings should be open to citizen observers.

Recommended Stories