PA speaker acknowledges EU’s role as key development partner

A delegation from the European Union called on Sindh Assembly Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah at his office on Wednesday.

The delegation included Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation, Dr Sebastien Lorion, Team Leader for Governance and Human Capital Development, and Ms Brekhna Ajmal, Programme Manager for Parliaments and Gender Equality.

Speaker Shah was accompanied by MPA Tanzeela Qambrani, Secretary Provincial Assembly G.M. Umar Farooq, Director General Media Irfan Ahmed Memon, and Huma Ikramullah. Discussions focused on the progress of ongoing collaborative efforts, including the "Mustehkam Parlimaan programme" (Strong Parliament Programme) and its role in strengthening the strategic planning of the Sindh Assembly. Speaker Shah appreciated the continued cooperation and discussed future support avenues.

The delegation also reviewed the e-parliament initiative, a project where the European Union will assist in digitising the assembly by providing modern technology and equipment to facilitate a transition toward a paperless legislative environment.

Additionally, the EU delegation shared details of an upcoming initiative—the Pakistan Women Leaders Programme—being developed in collaboration with UN Women. This programme aims to build the capacity of the Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) by addressing issues such as harassment during election campaigns, cybercrime challenges faced by women legislators, and efforts to enhance women’s voter registration across Sindh.

The PA speaker expressed his strong support for these initiatives and reiterated his commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment within the legislative process. He acknowledged the role of the EU as a key development partner and assured full cooperation from the assembly’s leadership.

Later, the Speaker guided the delegation on a tour of the new hall of the Sindh Assembly, where he briefed them on the planned technological installations under the EU-supported digitisation programme.

In conclusion, Speaker Shah thanked Jeroen Willems and his delegation for their continued engagement and invaluable support to the democratic and institutional strengthening of the Sindh Assembly.