ISLAMABAD, Dec 09 (APP):The National Assembly Secretariat, under the leadership of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, will host the 18th Speakers’ Conference at Parliament House, Islamabad, on December 19th and 20th, 2024, after a decade, highlighting its commitment to enhancing parliamentary collaboration and addressing l
egislative challenges.
The last Conference was held in 2014, and after a long delay, the annual event is now tentatively scheduled for December 19th and 20th, 2024. This two-day conference will gather Speakers and Presiding Officers from Pakistan’s l
egislatures, along with their respective parliamentary delegations, to discuss a common vision for l
egislative progress.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who previously led the 17th Speakers’ Conference in 2014, will once again oversee this significant forum, marking a decade of sustained efforts to enhance l
egislative practices in Pakistan.
The upcoming conference aims to equip parliamentary institutions to address current and future challenges effectively, while fostering greater cooperation among the l
egislatures.
In preparation for the 18th Speakers’ Conference, a Secretaries’ Conference will be held on December 11, 2024 at the Parliament House, Islamabad. This important meeting, a time-honored parliamentary tradition, will serve as a preparatory session to finalize the agenda for the 18th Speakers’ Conference and ensure alignment among l
egislative bodies.
The Secretaries’ Conference will be attended by Secretaries of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, Provincial Assembly of Sindh, L
egislative Assembly of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Assembly. The participants will deliberate on agenda items proposed by their respective l
egislatures and review the implementation status of decisions taken during the 17th Speakers’ Conference.
The 18th Speakers’ Conference will focus on several critical l
egislative themes. These include strengthening the Institution of Whips to ensure discipline and proficiency in parliamentary proceedings, implementing the newly inserted Article 9-A of the Constitution to combat climate change, and reforming l
egislative procedures to promote transparency and effectiveness. Other significant agenda items include establishing a credible Virtual Parliament to enhance accessibility, fostering stronger ties between Parliament and the People, and revising the Rules of Procedure to streamline l
egislative processes.
The institution of the Speakers’ Conference has a rich historical legacy, with its origins tracing back to 1921, when the first such conference was held in Simla under the leadership of Frederick Whyte, Speaker of the Central L
egislative Assembly. Over the years, the Speakers’ Conference has become a cornerstone of inter-parliamentary dialogue and collaboration in Pakistan.