Advancing legislative oversight in Pakistan

Context

After decades of military rule, democratic governance is emerging in Pakistan. The provinces have gained more autonomy and experienced peaceful political transitions in the 2013 and 2018 elections. Parliaments, including the National and Provincial Assemblies and the Senate, now play important roles. Despite political challenges, all political parties and public institutions agree that federal and provincial parliaments should have a larger role in governance.

The parliamentary system has faced significant issues. Previously incomplete parliamentary terms and limited citizen engagement have hindered effective governance.  With elections concluded  in early 2024, all Houses are now positioned to advance their vision and ambition for the coming term. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance legislative functions, promote oversight, and improve how representatives function in federal and provincial parliaments. In response, the project focuses on making the legislative process more efficient, providing robust administrative support, and increasing public outreach to foster transparent and inclusive democratic processes.

Objective

Parliamentary democracy in Pakistan continues to experience enhanced legislative functions, better oversight, and broader stakeholder involvement.

Approach

The project employs a multifaceted approach to address the identified challenges and achieve its objectives.

• Enhancing skills: The project conducts tailored workshops, orientation programmes, and professional development sessions to improve the skills of parliamentarians and secretariat staff in law-making, oversight, and budget approval processes.
• Improving administrative services: It provides technical advice and training to improve administrative and support services, establishes legal and policy frameworks, and supplies IT and office equipment.
• Increasing public outreach: The project facilitates interactions between parliamentarians, media, civil society, and youth to enhance public engagement, with a special focus on addressing socio-economic issues affecting marginalised groups.

Cooperation partners such as the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) and important experts play crucial roles in implementing activities contributing to the project's success.

Last update: June 2024