Islamabad, December 19, 2024: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called for consistent reforms in parliamentary processes, emphasizing the need to learn from past mistakes to foster a more effective legislative framework.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the 18th Speakers Conference at Parliament House, Sadiq noted the challenges of balancing government and opposition expectations. “If the government gets more time, the opposition is unhappy; if the opposition gets more time, the government is upset,” he remarked, adding that managing expectations is one of the toughest aspects of his role.
Sadiq termed the conference a significant platform to address the complexities of a speaker’s duties, which include balancing the demands of government, opposition, and backbenchers.
He proposed holding mandatory annual Speakers Conferences and suggested introducing training workshops in universities and colleges to educate students about parliamentary procedures.
Highlighting the critical role of chief whips, Sadiq described them as his “eyes and ears,” praising Syed Khursheed Shah as a model chief whip who maintained unity within the House.
The Speaker emphasized the importance of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in promoting transparency, sharing that billions of rupees had been recovered through PAC recommendations. He urged provincial assemblies to strengthen their PACs to improve oversight and accountability.
“Legislative bodies must address pressing issues such as climate change, economic stability, and unemployment,” he stressed, urging lawmakers to avoid personal attacks and focus on constructive debates.
Sadiq also highlighted the National Assembly’s internship program as a model for empowering youth, noting that the initiative had received over 3,500 applications, including from underprivileged students. “This program is shaping the next generation of leaders and should be replicated by provincial assemblies,” he suggested.
The Speaker proposed institutionalizing the conference to ensure continuity, unity, and collective progress. He suggested holding the next conference in Muzaffarabad and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for Kashmir, stating, “Kashmir remains close to our hearts.”
The two-day conference, presided over by Speaker Sadiq, brings together the Chairman Senate, speakers of provincial assemblies, and parliamentary leadership from Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as representatives from various political parties.
