LAHORE: The Provincial Assembly of the Punjab (PAP), in collaboration with the Mustehkam Parlimaan (MuP) Project, implemented jointly by GIZ and the Pakistan Institute for Palriamentary Services (PIPS), organised a New Members Orientation (NMO) Programme for the newly elected Honourable Members of the Punjab. The orientation aimed to equip the members with essential skills and knowledge to navigate their legislative roles effectively.
Led by esteemed facilitators, sessions covered crucial aspects including parliamentary procedures, legislative processes, oversight tools, and the functions of parliamentary committees. Attended by over 145 members, the programme provided a platform for collaborative learning and exchange of ideas among the honorable members.
These sessions were led by esteemed facilitators including Mr. Farhatullah Babar, Former Senator – Senate of Pakistan; Mr. Usama Khawar & Mr. Khalid Mehmood, Advisors to Speaker PAP; Mr. Muhammad Anwar, Executive Director PIPS; Dr. Syed Pervaiz Abbas, Deputy Team Leader and Mr. Aizaz Asif, Technical Lead, MuP.
Mr. Malik Zaheer Iqbal Channer, Honourable Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab and Chief Guest, expressed his congratulations to the newly elected members from both treasury and opposition benches during the inaugural session of the New Members Orientation Programme.
He emphasized the paramount importance of equipping these Honourable Members with essential skills and knowledge as they assume their roles in the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, citing the collaboration with the Mustehkam Parlimaan project as a testament to their commitment to fostering democratic values and strengthening parliamentary institutions in Punjab.
Participants were briefed on various parliamentary oversight tools essential for ensuring transparency and accountability in government operations, empowering public representatives to effectively carry out their constitutional duties.
“The New Members Orientation Programme offered invaluable insights into parliamentary procedures and oversight mechanisms, laying a foundation for effective governance and accountability”, this was highlighted by Mr. Farhatullah Babar, Former Senator – Senate of Pakistan in his presentation.
Participants were enlightened on the pivotal role of parliamentary committees, often referred to as the “mini legislature,” serving as a vital oversight mechanism. Mr. Muhammad Anwar, Executive Director PIPS, provided insights into the functions and powers of these committees, crucial for effective governance and legislative scrutiny.
The New Members Orientation Programme signifies a significant step towards fostering a culture of democracy, transparency, and accountability in Pakistan’s parliamentary system. By investing in the capacity building of elected representatives, the collaborative efforts aim to contribute to more robust legislative processes and improved governance outcomes.
About Mustehkam Parlimaan Project
The Mustehkam Parlimaan project is funded by the European Union and is jointly implemented by GIZ and the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS). The project aims to support parliamentary democracy in Pakistan through capacity building of the National Assembly, the Senate, and the four Provincial Assemblies in effective legislation, strengthening policy, budgetary oversight, and enhanced representation as well as supporting the young parliamentary associates.
