LAHORE:The two-day Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) South-East Asia Regions Joint Conference started at the Punjab Assembly on Friday. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq attended the conference as a chief guest.
The event is being attended by over 100 representatives from 20 legislatures, including delegations from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the United Kingdom, Zambia, Malaysia, and Pakistan. The distinguished guests included 13 Speakers, four Deputy Speakers, and one Chairman.
CPA Chairperson Dr Christopher Kalila praised the initiative as a much-needed step for regional parliamentary engagement. Punjab Assembly Secretary Aamir Habib and CPA Regional Secretary Ms Kashani Anusha led the Branch Secretariat meeting, finalised the agenda focused on parliamentary democracy, transparent legislation, and accountability.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the importance of parliamentary relations in achieving sustainable and inclusive development. He reaffirmed that knowledge-sharing through forums like the CPA Conference allows nations to learn from each other and improve governance practices. He expressed concerns about the growing impact of fake news and disinformation, emphasising parliament’s role in upholding truth and accountability. He congratulated PA Speaker and the Punjab Assembly for successfully hosting the conference and reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong ties with all participating countries.
Reflecting on past regional conferences, Sardar Ayaz underscored the importance of strengthening legislative cooperation to address common global challenges, including climate change and governance reforms. He noted that as democratic expectations rise, increased public oversight and a focus on good governance are becoming critical priorities.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, in his welcome address, emphasised the significance of the conference in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants.
The PA Speaker also acknowledged the presence of former speakers and senior parliamentarians and said that CPA’s role in strengthening democracy, good governance, and sustainable development is very important. He highlighted the importance of the role of local governments in addressing the problems of the common man.
Malik Ahmad Khan emphasised the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on governance and the economy. He called for balanced policies to harness AI’s potential while mitigating its challenges.
Discussing AI’s transformative impact, Malik Ahmad Khan cautioned against ignoring its rapid advancements, which are reshaping governance, media, and employment. While AI offers increased efficiency, it also poses risks such as misinformation, cyber conflicts, and job displacement. He called for parliamentary oversight to regulate AI-driven challenges effectively.
Malik Ahmad further stressed the need for inclusive policies to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Climate change was identified as the most pressing challenge of the era, requiring immediate and coordinated action. He expressed confidence that the Lahore Charter, to be adopted at the conclusion of the conference, would serve as a roadmap for regional progress, peace, and prosperity.
He also commended Punjab Assembly Secretary General Aamir Habib Ch and his team for making excellent arrangements for the conference. The PA Speaker highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to fight against fake news and emphasised the importance of information integrity in governance. He said that hosting the first-ever joint regional CPA Conference in Lahore was a proud moment, reinforcing the country’s dedication to democratic dialogue.
He reiterated that elected representatives must play a proactive role in addressing public concerns. He emphasised on addressing legislative gaps to resolve the issues of women, children, persons with disabilities and minorities.
Addressing gender equality, he stressed the urgency of eliminating legislative disparities, he noted that despite progress, significant gaps remain in ensuring equal rights and representation for marginalized groups. He called for comprehensive reforms to build an equitable society.
On climate change, he warned of its severe consequences on governance, economies, and natural resources, urging immediate action. CPA Chairperson Dr Christopher Kalila while addressing the First Asia and Southeast Asia Regional Conference, stated that it is a positive development to hold a joint conference in the Asia and Southeast Asia region after a long time. He thanked the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly and all the organisers for successfully hosting the conference. He further mentioned that the long-standing issue of CPA’s legal status is now nearing resolution. The CPA Status Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons on December 18, 2024, and has also received royal assent. The role of the CPA International Executive Committee and Secretary General Stephen Twigg in this regard is commendable. The future of the CPA is bright, and this conference will create more opportunities for cooperation among members.
CPA Secretary General Mataya said that this is a new opportunity to formulate a strategy by making legislation in a new direction. Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, UK, Nusrat Ghani, stated that constructive criticism in parliamentary democracy can help improve the democratic system. She highlighted the need to make the platforms of CPA and IPA more effective.
The Speaker of Selangor, Malaysia, Lau Weng San, stated that the Punjab Assembly’s initiative to host this parliamentary conference is commendable. He said that this event would help us understand and improve each other's parliamentary systems.
Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Owais Qadir Shah emphasised the need to work on class divisions and the rights of minorities. He stated that through this conference, we must promote regional and global relations. He praised PA Speaker for organising Asia’s first CPA conference in Punjab.
The conference was also addressed by Malaysian Parliament Senator Pelay Peter Tinggom, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis of the Maldives Ahmed Nazim, Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, Senator Anusha Rahman, Zakia Shah Nawaz, Ahmed Iqbal, and others.