Pildat holds session on work of standing committees

ISLAMABAD: The parliamentarians here agreed on the need for increased public awareness about the work of standing committees, which could be achieved through live broadcasts and public hearings.

The PILDAT convened a briefing session here aimed at enhancing parliamentarians’ engagement with parliament’s committee system for oversight of government.

The discussion, “How can parliamentary committees ensure good governance?” provided a platform for deliberations on improving effectiveness of committees in ensuring transparency and accountability.

A presentation, delivered by Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT, provided an overview of committee process, detailing different types of standing committees in National Assembly and Senate.

He analysed performance of 15th National Assembly, where there was a six-month delay in the formation of standing committees. The Rules of Procedure & Conduct of Business of National Assembly, 2007 say standing committees must be constituted within 30 days of ascertainment of Leader of the House.

On average, he said only 28 meetings were held by each committee in five years. “This translates into six meetings per committee per year”, he noted.

He said there was 11pc decrease in committee activity in Senate in the 2023-2024 parliamentary year — from 326 meetings in 2022-2023 to 290 meetings in 2023-2024.

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob’s presentation concluded with following recommendations for improving effectiveness of standing committees:

The committee appointments should be done on time; committee meetings must be scheduled more regularly; National Assembly committees should be given an effective role in the budget process; public part of committee meeting proceedings should be televised; public hearings to invite public input should be held; committees should have dedicated research staff and meeting rooms.

The session continued with an interactive discussion. The parliamentarians raised the issues they face within the committee system. The staff from NA and Senate Secretariat answered the parliamentarians’ questions.

The parliamentarians in attendance included MNA Ms Sehar Kamran, MNA Pullain Baloch, MNA Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das, Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, MNA Ms Shaista Khan, MNA Muhammad Khan Daha and MNA Dr Shazia Sobia Somooro.