ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP):A 130-member delegation of the National Security and War Course of the National Defence University (NDU), comprising senior civil and military officers from Pakistan and friendly countries, visited Parliament House. The delegation, headed by General Muhammad Naeem Akhtar, met with Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Welcoming the delegation, Ayaz Sadiq said that the National Defence University is a prestigious educational institution of the country, and its …
130-member delegation from NDU calls on Ayaz Sadiq
ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (APP):A 130-member delegation of the National Security and War Course of the National Defence University (NDU), comprising senior civil and military officers from Pakistan and friendly countries, visited Parliament House.
The delegation, headed by General Muhammad Naeem Akhtar, met with Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
Welcoming the delegation, Ayaz Sadiq said that the National Defence University is a prestigious educational institution of the country, and its graduates are serving in key civil and military institutions of Pakistan.
He informed the participants about Pakistan’s parliamentary system, the composition and functioning of the National Assembly (NA), the legislative process and the role of Standing Committees in legislation.
NA Speaker said that matters of national importance are discussed in the National Assembly and that Parliament is a representative institution of the 250 million people of the country.
He said that Pakistan is an active member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and other international parliamentary organisations, adding that the Parliament of Pakistan is effectively highlighting the Kashmir issue at international forums.
Ayaz Sadiq said that the Speaker’s discretionary powers regarding recruitment of employees in the National Assembly had been transferred to the Finance Committee.
He further said that various training courses are conducted to enhance the capacity of officers and staff of the National Assembly and that the recruitment process in the National Assembly is completely carried out on merit.
Ayaz Sadiq said that a drafting council had been established in the National Assembly Secretariat to facilitate Members in legislative drafting.
He said that the National Assembly had saved rupees six billion during the last financial year as part of its austerity measures.
NA Speaker highlighted the measures undertaken by Parliament for energy efficiency, digital transformation and environmental sustainability.
He said that an energy-efficiency audit of the National Assembly was conducted in 2013, while Pakistan’s Parliament became the world’s first parliament to completely shift to solar energy in 2015.
Ayaz Sadiq said that the Parliament of Pakistan was recently honoured with the first-ever Green Mace Award at the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
He said that the National Assembly had also introduced a paperless parliamentary system, under which Members have been provided digital tablets to facilitate access to parliamentary documents and proceedings.
He said that the digitisation of the Speaker’s office was another important initiative aimed at modernising parliamentary operations and promoting efficient use of resources.
These digital initiatives have reduced reliance on paper and stationery, resulting in savings in expenditure while also contributing to greater efficiency and environmental sustainability.
While informing the participants about environment-friendly initiatives of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq said that the Parliament of Pakistan is committed to legislating for the installation of rainwater harvesting facilities across Pakistan to replenish groundwater and maintain the water table.
Ayaz Sadiq said that all members of the National Assembly are provided equal opportunities to raise matters of national importance and issues relating to their constituencies.
He said that the doors of the Speaker’s Chamber are open to all Members of the National Assembly and that the office of the Speaker plays an important role in promoting understanding between the government and the opposition.
While informing the delegation about the parliamentary forums, Ayaz Sadiq said that an Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) Secretariat was established in the National Assembly in 2014 to contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, while a Gender Mainstreaming Committee had also been constituted.
He said that the Women Parliamentary Caucus was playing a key role in addressing issues concerning women, while the Young Parliamentarians Forum is contributing to strengthening interaction between the Parliament and legislators.
NA Speaker said that the National Assembly provides internship opportunities to students, with preference given to students belonging to remote areas of Balochistan and Sindh. He said that during the internship programmes, students are familiarised with parliamentary proceedings and the legislative process.
NA Speaker said that the world is currently facing various economic and climate-related challenges, while the negative use of social media is also a major challenge.
He said that the Parliament of Pakistan continues to highlight the need for collective action to address climate change at regional and international forums, adding that Pakistan is among the countries most severely affected by climate change.
Naeem Akhtar thanked Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for briefing the delegation on the legislative process, functioning of the National Assembly and its environment-friendly initiatives.
The delegation appreciated the role of Ayaz Sadiq in conducting the proceedings of the House in an orderly manner and lauded his parliamentary role.
The meeting provided the participants an opportunity to gain a better understanding of Pakistan’s parliamentary system, legislative processes, institutional functioning, digital transformation and the environmental sustainability initiatives undertaken by the Parliament.
