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Islamabad: Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has called for a recalibration of parliamentary forums to align with their primary objectives of public welfare and legislative action for marginalized communities. Emphasizing the importance of crafting substantive legislation, Sadiq noted that the forums should move beyond being platforms for donor-driven meetings, focusing instead on addressing the socio-economic realities faced by children, women, and youth.
According to a statement by National Assembly of Pakistan, Sadiq highlighted the collaboration between the National Assembly and the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in providing the necessary resources to boost the effectiveness of parliamentary forums. He advocated for transforming these forums into more impactful entities, capable of fulfilling their legislative mandates with integrity.
The remarks were made during the National Women’s Convention, organized by the Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) under the leadership of Dr. Shahida Rehmani. The event underscored the contributions of women parliamentarians, with Sadiq praising their role in legislative proceedings and acknowledging their impact across socio-economic sectors.
Dr. Shahida Rehmani, Secretary of the WPC, highlighted the significant legislative achievements led by women, including cross-party collaborations like the “Protection Against Harassment at the Workplace Act.” She urged for measures to ensure at least 10% participation of women voters in general elections.
Deputy Speaker of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Suriya Bibi, stressed the importance of cross-party efforts and detailed the legislative successes of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in her region, such as the passage of bills on child protection and domestic violence. She also noted initiatives to empower youth, including the formation of KP’s first Children’s Parliament.
Ghazala Gola, Deputy Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly, showcased achievements such as the establishment of Anti-Harassment Cells and the Provincial Commission on the Status of Women. She emphasized the need for collaborative approaches to address women’s challenges at various levels.
Members from the assemblies of Gilgit-Baltistan, Sindh, and Punjab also presented their legislative contributions, focusing on women’s rights, empowerment, and access to justice. The convention concluded with a call to eradicate child marriages, strengthen legal frameworks against domestic violence, and promote economic opportunities for women.
The convention participants highlighted the urgent need to address systemic discrimination and global conflicts impacting women, advocating for increased political representation and financial support for women leaders during elections.
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