Senate, UK Parliamentary Association to enhance cooperation for better parliamentary performance

ISLAMABAD: The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association of the United Kingdom and Senate Secretariat have agreed to further boost mutual cooperation and linkages by exploring new vistas of collaboration for improving parliamentary performance, strengthen democratic traditions and advance parliamentary democracy.

This was agreed in a meeting between Secretary Senate Amjed Pervez Malik and Jon Davies, Chief Executive of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK Branch (CPA UK) here at the Parliament House on Monday, according to a press release.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary Senate said democracy was facing multiple challenges and required the parliaments to be more responsive and vibrant. It was only through constructive engagement with the stakeholders that challenges could be addressed more efficiently, he added.

The Senate, he said, had introduced landmark reforms to enhance its outreach to people, especially youth.

Amjed Pervez Malik also proposed that the CPA should constitute a forum of Secretary Generals of the Commonwealth on the pattern of Association of Secretary General of the Inter-parliamentary Union which was playing a vibrant role.

Both sides identified some key areas of mutual cooperation. The Chief Executive CPA UK appreciated the proposal of long term engagement as it would add to the vibrancy of the institutions and further institutionalize linkage between Senate and the CPA.

He hoped that his visit would prove fruitful and pave the way for more cooperation.

The delegates also visited the Monument of Unsung Heroes and Gali-i-Dastoor at the Parliament House, where they were briefed about the democratic and parliamentary struggle of the people of Pakistan and the political leadership. They applauded the initiatives and took keen interest in visit to the two facilities in the Parliament.