Report: Hurish shah FT:
ISLAMABAD — A 130-member delegation of the National Security and War Course of the National Defence University (NDU), comprising senior civil and military officers from Pakistan and friendly countries, visited Parliament House and met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
The delegation was led by General Muhammad Naeem Akhtar. Welcoming the participants, the Speaker briefed them on Pakistan’s parliamentary system, the composition and functioning of the National Assembly, the legislative process and the role of Standing Committees.
Ayaz Sadiq said Parliament represents the people of Pakistan and highlighted its role in raising matters of national importance at domestic and international forums, including the Kashmir issue.
He outlined various initiatives undertaken by the National Assembly, including merit-based recruitment, capacity-building programmes, legislative drafting support and austerity measures. He said the National Assembly saved Rs6 billion during the last financial year.
The Speaker also highlighted Parliament’s energy-efficiency, digital transformation and environmental initiatives, noting that Pakistan’s Parliament became the world’s first parliament to fully shift to solar energy in 2015. He also mentioned the introduction of a paperless parliamentary system and digitisation of parliamentary operations.
During the question-and-answer session, Ayaz Sadiq said Afghan territory was being used for terrorism against Pakistan. He also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to promote collective action on climate change.
General Muhammad Naeem Akhtar thanked the Speaker for briefing the delegation and appreciated his role in conducting parliamentary proceedings.
