National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has said that legislature embodies the will of the people of Pakistan, therefore it is incumbent upon the legislators to transform lives of the citizens of the country through legislation, effective oversight and budget appropriation.
He expressed these views while addressing the unveiling ceremony of the National Assembly Strategic Plan 2019-2023 at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) Islamabad on Wednesday.
The speaker said a comprehensive strategy has been formulated to enhance the legislative efficiency and oversight of the parliament. He said that National Assembly Strategic Plan 2019-2023 has been envisioned to make parliament a true representative of the people of the Pakistan through developing a professional approach. He said experts will be engaged, research conducted and pushed for best evidence-based decision making by the House as well as the standing committees.
Apprising about the salient future of the National Assembly’s Strategic Plan 2019-2023, the speaker expressed the hope that the plan will establish high traditions in parliamentary oversight and legislation in the National Assembly and put positive impact on its performance. He said that under that the plan, parliamentary oversight will be made more effective and every citizen will have access to information in transparent manner. He said another objective of the plan is to establish the highest standards of governance and discipline in the National Assembly, close relations between parliamentarians and their constituent.
Speaker Asad Qaiser underlining the need for merit-based decisions, said that the close attention is given to make the system in the National Assembly more efficient and effective and all matters were being carried out on merit. He said that in pursuit of building friendship with other friendly parliaments, 93 friendship groups have been constituted in National Assembly to carry out day-to-day affairs and activities of the groups. He said that the vigorous parliamentary diplomacy was in full swing to highlight peaceful image of Pakistan in world. Apprising the audience about his Look Africa initiative, the speaker said that National Assembly was lagging behind in terms of relations with parliaments in African Region, therefore special focus is being paid for building alliances in African continent. Referring to the oversight role of parliament, the speaker said that innovations were being brought in committee system. He said that academia, intellectuals and subject matter experts are being linked with standing committees for providing them expertise and research for informed decision making. He said that as custodian of the House, he had provided equal opportunity to all the members of the House to take part in the proceedings of the House.
Apprising about the parliamentary committee on agriculture products and CPEC, the speaker said that both the committees are of utmost importance and rendering important tasks within their spheres. He said that both the committee would be linked vide that strategic plan with agriculture universities and research institutes for enhancing their working.
While concluding his address, Speaker Asad Qaiser congratulated Andleeb Abass, MNA/Convener and other members of the of National Assembly Strategic Plan Oversight Committee for rendering their valuable input while formulating the said Strategic Plan. He praised the input of the Members of the National Assembly from other political parties for providing their important insight in developing a workable document. He also lauded the efforts of Staff of the National Assembly and the representatives of West Minster Foundation for Democracy for their technical support while preparing the strategic plan.
