Islamabad, September 21, 2026: 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 on Monday and met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
The delegation, headed by General Muhammad Naeem Akhtar, was briefed by the Speaker on Pakistan’s parliamentary system, the composition and functioning of the National Assembly, the legislative process and the role of Standing Committees in legislation.
Welcoming the delegation, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq described the National Defence University as a prestigious institution whose graduates are serving in key civil and military institutions across the country.
The Speaker said the National Assembly provides a forum for discussing matters of national importance and represents the 250 million people of Pakistan. He highlighted Pakistan’s active participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and other international parliamentary organisations, and said Parliament effectively raises the Kashmir issue at international forums.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said his discretionary powers regarding recruitment in the National Assembly had been transferred to the Finance Committee. He added that training programmes were regularly conducted to enhance the capacity of officers and staff, while recruitment in the National Assembly was carried out strictly on merit.
He said a Drafting Council had also been established in the National Assembly Secretariat to assist members with legislative drafting. The Speaker further stated that the National Assembly had saved Rs6 billion during the last financial year as part of its austerity measures.
The Speaker highlighted Parliament’s initiatives relating to energy efficiency, digital transformation and environmental sustainability.
He said 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. He also noted that Parliament was recently presented with the first-ever Green Mace Award at the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the National Assembly had introduced a paperless parliamentary system under which members were provided digital tablets to access parliamentary documents and proceedings.
He added that digitisation of the Speaker’s Office had further modernised parliamentary operations, reduced dependence on paper and stationery, lowered expenditure and contributed to environmental sustainability.
Speaking about environment-friendly initiatives, the Speaker said Parliament was committed to legislating for the installation of rainwater harvesting facilities across Pakistan to help replenish groundwater and maintain the water table.
He said Parliament was also highlighting the need for collective action on climate change at regional and international forums, noting that Pakistan is among the countries severely affected by climate change.
The Speaker said all members of the National Assembly were provided equal opportunities to raise matters of national importance and issues concerning their constituencies.
He said the Speaker’s Chamber remained open to all members and that the office of the Speaker played an important role in promoting understanding between the government and opposition.
Briefing the delegation on parliamentary forums, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said an SDGs Secretariat was established in the National Assembly in 2014 to contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He also highlighted the Gender Mainstreaming Committee, Women Parliamentary Caucus and Young Parliamentarians Forum.
He said the National Assembly also provided internship opportunities to students, with preference given to those from remote areas of Balochistan and Sindh. The programmes familiarise students with parliamentary proceedings and the legislative process.
The Speaker said the world was currently facing economic and climate-related challenges, while the negative use of social media had also emerged as a major challenge.
During the question-and-answer session, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said Afghan territory was being used for terrorism against Pakistan.
General Muhammad Naeem Akhtar thanked the Speaker for briefing the delegation on the legislative process, functioning of the National Assembly and its environmental initiatives.
The delegation appreciated the Speaker’s role in conducting parliamentary proceedings in an orderly manner and praised his parliamentary role.
The visit provided participants an opportunity to gain a better understanding of Pakistan’s parliamentary system, legislative processes, institutional functioning, digital transformation and environmental sustainability initiatives undertaken by Parliament.
