‘Collective efforts to strengthen Parliamentary framework stressed’

Islamabad:Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday called for collective efforts to build a robust framework that enhances parliamentary capacity and ensures effective oversight of fiscal policies.

Chairman Senate was addressing a reception hosted by European Delegation to Pakistan in Islamabad said a news release. The European Union Delegation to Pakistan hosted a pre-departure reception in honour of Pakistan’s Parliamentary Delegation ahead of their visit to the Parliament and Parliamentary Budget Offices (PBOs) of Austria and Ireland.

The visit is organised under a 15 million euros European Union-funded project named Support to Parliamentary Development in Pakistan (also known as Mustehkam Parlimaan).This high-level delegation, comprising 23 distinguished members, is led by the Chairman of the Senate.

Representing a broad spectrum of Pakistan’s democratic leadership, the delegation includes the Speakers of the Provincial Assemblies, members of parliament from across political parties, and senior parliamentary secretariat officials.

The reception, hosted by Dr. Riina Kionka, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, highlighted the EU’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s parliamentary democracy through this project.

Addressing the gathering, the EU Ambassador said, “The European Union has been a steadfast partner in strengthening Pakistan’s democratic institutions.This visit offers a valuable opportunity for Pakistani legislators to learn from the successful practices of Austria and Ireland in establishing PBOs.