SDPD Update Jan - April 2013

7/30/2019 SDPD Update Jan - April 2013

1/12

2013 P R O G R E S S U P D A T E JAN-APRIL

Parliament of Pakistan achieved a

milestone in Parliamentary history this

quarter. For the first time after 1977,

P a k i s t a n s N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y

completed its term and gave way to a

smooth transition to new democratic

set-up after upcoming General

Elections in May 2013.

The tenure had not been an easy ride

for the National Assembly that

c o n t i n u e d c o n f r o n t i n g m y r i a d

challenges. It deserves accolades for

many historic firsts as well as massive

legislative work during this period.

Particularly from January - March this

year, it engaged itself in hectic sessions

and Committees meetings before the

end of its term.

SDPD, for having been engaged with

both the Houses of Parliament since

almost a decade now, proudly claims to

have assisted the Committees and

contributed to their strengthening during

this fragile period of Pakistans

democratic history. The Committees

became more active during this period

and engaged themselves into Public

Hearings - a comparatively new

phenomenon in this part of the world.

The credit goes to very able Speaker

who ran the House with exemplary

statespersonship. The youngest Deputy

Speaker ever, complemented her talent

and leadership. Parliamentary parties in

treasury and opposition played their

part with responsibility and maturity. It

would be unfair not to acknowledge the

hard work of the Secretariat here.

Congratulations all!

Parliament Makes History

DR. FEHMIDAMIRZA, SPEAKER

NATIONALASSEMBLY

HERE SHE COMES!

SPEAKER & COMMITTEE CHAIRNATIONALANTHEM

SHARING A WHISPER

(SPEAKER & UNDP CD)

SDPD

SPEAKERNATIONALASSEMBLYWITHMEMBERSOFHUMAN

RIGHTSCOMMITTEEANDUNDPCD, ACD&NPM

Editor: Marvi Sirmed


2/12

Responsive reporting of Human Rights

Violation is a demanding task and it is to

be dealt with extended sensitivity. With

the view to improve it through

reporters' better coordination with the

Committees , ensur ing two-way

information flow and knowledge

enhancement about critical issues of

human rights violations, SDPD facilitated

the formation of the Human Rights

Reporters Association (HuRRA). The

Association was launched in an event

held on 19th February 2013 involving

around twenty journalists from different

media houses including print and

electronic media.

The Chairperson of the Committee Mr.

Riaz Fatyana along with other

prominent members, Ms. Jameela Gilani

and Ms. Tanveer Nisar attended the

event.

Human Rights Reporters Association-HuRRA

ABOVE: (RIGHT TO LEFT) MS. JAMILAGALLANI, MS. TANVEER NISAR, MR. RIAZFATIANA, MS. MARVI SIRMED

BELOW: MEMBERS OF HURRA, PARTICIPATING JOURNALISTSASKING QUESTIONS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS

ABOVE: MS JMILA GALLANI PRESENTS CERTIFICATE OFAPPRECIATION TO A WOMAN MEMBER OF HURRA, WHILE MS.TANVEER NISAR AND MR. RIAZ FATIANA LOOK ON

ABOVE:JOURNALISTS INTERACT WITH COMMITTEE

MEMBERS INFORMALLY


3/12

S D PD - U ND P a s si s te d t h e

National Assembly Standing

CommitteeonHumanRightsto

produce its >irst ever progress

report. Honorable Speaker

Dr. Fahmida Mirza launched

thereport on 28th February

2013.

Thelaunchingceremonywas

followed by a farewell lunch

for the members of the

c o mm i tt ee . S o uv en i rs a ndcerti>icates of appreciation

were also presented to the

members of the committee.

T h e C o m m i t t e e C h a i r

a cknowled ge d the support

provided by the civil society

and media representatives, to

the committee over its tenure.

He presented certi>icate of

acknowledgments to selected

members from media andcivil

society.ThehonorableSpeaker

acknowledged the support of

SDPDinef>icientfunctioningof

t h e C o m m i t t e e a n d i t s

i n cr ea se d e ff ec t iv en es s i n

p e r f o r m i n g m a n d a t o r y

functions.

Human Rights Committees Two Years Report Unveiled

THE EVENT

MAKING IT SUREMR. RIAZ FATIANA

OVERSEEING ARRANGEMENTS

BEFORE THE BITE

COMMITTEE MEMBERS &

UNDPS ACD

STEALING A S IP

SECRETARIAT OFFICIALS

MAN BEHIN D THE SHOW

SYED SHAMOON HASHMI,

SDPDS NPD

HUMAN RIGHTS

COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ONE

OF THE MOST DYNAMIC

ONES IN NATIONAL

ASSEMBLY - SPEAKER

A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY CANNOT EVOLVE AND

FUNCTION WITHOUT THE RESPECT ANDENFORCEMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS - DR. FEHMIDA

MIRZA


4/12

The Standing Committees on Foreign

Affairs from both the Houses were

facilitated to jointly assemble in their

first ever Public Hearing titled; Future

of SAARC in the context of Pakistan-

India Relations. The Hearing aimed at

involving honorable members of both

the committees in an informed debate

on various issues important for the

region including War on Terror &

Regional Security Situation , Trade

Economy & Visa Liberalization and

Resolution of Disputes for the

Betterment of People of SAARC.

Jaleel Abbas Jillani, Foreign Secretary; Mr.

Iqbal Tabish, Director General-SAARC

Chamber of Commerce and Industry;

General (R) Talat Masood, defense

analyst and Iftikhar Ahmed, senior

jo u rna l i s t t e s t i fi e d be fo re t he

Committees. The High Commissioners

of SAARC countries, former diplomats,

representatives of civil society, media,

think tanks and intelligentsia attended

the Hearing.

During the Hearing, critical evidence

was collected from the technocrats

wherein they proposed policy guidelines

for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Affairs Committee Gets Public

PUBLIC HEARING

BY SENATE

FOREIGN AFFAIRSCOMMITTEE:

WITNESSES

SITTING WITH

COMMITTEE

MEMBERS

MOMENTS BEFORE

TESTIFYING

(LEFT TO RIGHT)

MR. JALIL ABBAS

JILANI, MR. IQBAL

TABISH, SENATOR

HAJI ADEEL, GEN

(R) TALAT

MASOOD, MR.

IFTIKHAR AHMAD

R TO L: SEN. HAJI ADEEL, SEN.FARHATULLAH BABAR, SEN. AITZAZAHSAN, IFTIKHAR AHMAD, AKRAMZAKI


5/12

SDPD assisted MDGs Committee inoverseeing the implementation ofcountrys plan of action to achieveMillennium Development Goals. SDPDscontribution mainly consisted ofassistance in making observations of thestatus against the achievement of targetsunder MDGs.

National Assemblys Special Committee

on Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) presented its report to theSpeaker of the House in March beforeits diss olution. The Commit teerecommended the establishment of adedicated cell on Poverty Reduction andMDGs in Planning and DevelopmentDivision to track progress continuouslyand to produce an annual MDGs statusreport that should be submitted to theParliament.

The Committee was constituted as

Special Committee by the HonorableSpeaker on October 14, 2011,consequent to the adoption of a motionon 23 June 2011. The historical first inits own right, the Committee wasassisted by SDPD in compiling thisreport and by Poverty Reduction Unitof UNDP Pakistan for undertaking theprocess of consultations in making theobservations.

The report describes the outcomes ofthe consultative process that the

Committee undertook for compilingthe report; its findings against everyGoal under the MDGs; status against

t h e t a r g e t s ; C o m m i t t e e srecommendations to meet targets anda c h i e v e d e a d l i n e s ; G e n e r a lrecommendations by the Committee toimprove the MDG achievements andcontours of debate on post-2015 planof action.

The Committee suggested that theSocial Sector Coordination Committee

of the Cabinet may be given theresponsibility to track progress onattainment of MDGs and makerecommendations to the Cabinet foraccelerating progress.

The Committee observed that therewas lack of authenticity of data due tomore than institution compiling similardata basing it on different kinds ofindicators. It recommended that thereshould single umbrella organizations toprovide credible and reliable data.

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics could act asone. To ensure fresh and credible data,National Population & HouseholdCensus should be conducted regularlyand registration of births/deaths shouldbe ensured, Committee recommended.

Another important recommendationwas about the social sector spending ofthe provinces, which the Committeewas of the view, should be reviewedperiodically by the Council of CommonInterests that could be requested for it

t h r o u g h t h e I n t e r P r o v i n c i a lCoordination Ministry.

To ensure mainstreaming of lessdeve l oped remote a rea s , t heCommittee recommended that theFederal government should ensure thatFATA, GB, ICT and AJK set their targetsagainst each goal and produce theirreports to feed into the NationalReport.

Most importantly, the Committee

recommended that the new NationalAssembly when comes into being afterthe General Elections in May 2013 mustconstitute a similar Special Committeeon MDGs to oversee the achievementof Goals.

For post 2015 action plan, theCommittee acknowledged that as 2015approaches, the UN system is leadingthe process of developing a newf r a m e w o r k f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a ldevelopment goals. The Country

Consultation process in Pakistan, theCommittee noted, would run throughMarch 2013. The debate is around thefollowing key questions:

1. How useful have the MDGs been forPakistan?

2. What is needed in the future goals?What issues need to be highlightedfor the Post-2015 global agenda?

3. How can the new goals be bettermeasured

Poverty Reduction Cell in Planning

Commission Needed - MDGs Committee


6/12

Tax AmendmentBill CriticallyEvaluatedNational Assemblys Standing Committee

on Finance & Revenue was assisted to

critically evaluate Tax Amendment Bill

2012. Committee had a meaningful debate

on the Bill and was able to technically

analyze it clause-by-clause. The Bill

introduced the amnesty scheme for the

identified non-tax payers to bring them in

streamline. If passed, it would have added

revenue to nat ional exchequer .

Finance Committees

Data PreservedSDPD has been humbly served the

National Assembly of Pakistan in another

historical development and has digitally

tabulated all the data of Finance

C o m m i t t e e m e e t i n g s , i t s

recommendations and actions taken since

2008 to date. Similar tabulation has been

completed for Bills presented through or

reviewed by the Committee. This will go a

long way in empowering the upcoming

Committee when the new National

Assembly comes in after the General

Elections in May 2013.

UPCOMING FINANCE

COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL

ASSEMBLY EMPOWERED EVEN

BEFORE IT IS CONSTITUTED

Human RightsCommittees SecondReport ReadySDPD has developed the draft of the

Second Progress Report of the NA

Committee on Human Rights, which hasbeen submitted to the Speaker for

approval. This second concesutive report

of the Committe in line with itsconstitutional obligation of presenting its

performance to the people through the

House. This parliamentary mechanism,through which parliament makes itself

accountable to the people, is new.

PAPER ON CHILDRIGHTS ACT

The Project developed a Briefing Paperon the National Commission on Child

Rights Act, which was then beingreviewed by the Human RightsCommittee of the National Assembly.

The Briefing Paper was developed with

a view to enhance the understanding ofthe committee members on the

provisions of the Bill to facilitate

informed debate thereon. The Bill wassubsequently passed by the parliament.

PUBLICAWARENESS

Sena te Func t i ona l Commi t t eeCommittee on Government Assurancesis a comparatively lesser known buthighly important Committee especiallyfrom the perspective of parliamentsoversi ght on govern ment. ThisCommittee keeps track of Ministerscommitments on the Floor of theHouse. A public awareness campaignwas charted out by SDPD ResearchAssociates for better outreach of theCommittee

FEASIB IL ITY ONTHE ISSUES OF I -16

I-16 is a new residential Sector ofIslamabad, on the development ofwhich, there have been many issuesraised from different sections ofmedia and civil society. The issue hasbeen on the agenda of GovernmentAssurances Committee since last twoyears. SDPD developed a FeasibilityReport for the Committee toconduct a detaile study on theproblem and respond to the civilsocietys concerns raised throughpetitions, Calling Attentions etc.


7/12

Understanding USDrone War

A fact-sheet about US Drones on

Pakistans soil since 2004 was prepared for

Senates Foreign Affairs Committee toenable members have informed discussion

upon the agenda items.

Linkages withother ParliamentsThe Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs

engaged itself extensively with buildinglinkages with Committees from similar

parliamentary systems.SDPD assisted the

Committed in documenting the processand compiling a comprehensive Proposal

on Pakistans Foreign Relations. The

Proposal is expected to be published bythe Senate after due process of adoption.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

COMMITTEE DEVELOPED

LINKAGES WITH COMMITTEES

OF OTHER PARLIAMENTS

Inter-ProvincialCoordination

After the Eighteenth Constitutional

Amendment, Inter Provincial Coordination

has got a central focus in sorting out many

issues related to the devolution of powers

f rom the f eder a l to p rov i n c i a lgovernments. That has increased the

oversight role of the Inter Provincial

Coordination (IPC) Committees of both

Houses as well. SDPD has been assisting

the Senate Committee on IPC in its

functions of oversight and legislation

wherever applicable.

Over the last quarter, the Committee was

briefed on important issues like Expanded

Program on Immunization, StudentExchange Programs and National Academy

on Performing Arts through Papers.

SOCIAL MEDIA FORHUMAN RIGHTS

Committee started interacting withcitizens through social media. Much ofthe feedback was gathered by theChairman h imsel f and by theCommittee secretariat through a veryd y n a m i c Tw i t t e r a c c o u n t(@NAHRComPak). Because of thedissolution of the Assembly, the accounthas been temporarily suspended till thenew Committee is set up after theGeneral Elections in May 2013

FOREIGN AFFAIRS ONTWITTER

To enhance the public outreach of theSenate Standing Committee on Foreign

Affairs, SDPD encouraged the use of

social media by the Committee Chair.

The Chair is now personally interactingwith citizens, technocrats and media

through an official Twitter account.Please follow him at @FACommSenate

to know more about Pakistans Senate

Foreign Affairs Committee

DEMOC RACY WATCHNETWORK

SDPDs work with the civil societyorganizations at community level allover Pakistan, over last eight years hastransformed into a network ofindividuals, groups, bodies andorganizations. This quarter, DemocracyWatch Network launched its webportal with members actively sharing

information. With special focus onupcoming Elections, the Portal is actingas an excellent way of watching theelections campaign and any violations ofrules therein. The Portal is accessible atwww.democracywatch.pk
http://www.democracywatch.pk/http://www.democracywatch.pk/


8/12

SDPD: ConnectingCommitteesCoordination between the Committees ofboth Houses is enhanced because of

building bridge between them through the

SDPDs Research Aassociate. The timelyshared information through the same RA

connected the Committees of both theHouses in a unique way. A manifestation ofthis was seen in the close working

relationship that Senates Special

Committee on Election Reforms and theNA Committee on Law and Justice have

developed. Similar relationship has beenseen between Committees on Foreign

Affairs of both Houses and Committees

on Law & Justice. Good luck to both theSecretariats for carrying on with the

spirit!

StrengtheningElectoralLawmakingSDPD Research Team has produced areport on electoral laws for the NA

Standing Committee on Law & Justice. The

report covered the joint sessions of theStanding Committees on Law & Justice

and Parliamentary Affairs and the

consequent recommendations by themembers. It was laid before the House in

the last week of its tenure.

CITIZENS FROM ALL PARTS

OF PAKISTAN ACTIVELY

PARTICIPATED IN THE

CONSULTATIVE PROCESS FOR

FORMULATINGRECOMMENDATIONS ON

POSSIBLE ELECTORAL

REFORMS FOR UPCOMING

ELECTIONS IN 2013

Another report was also shared, earlier,with the Committee that compiled

citizens recommendations on possible

electoral reforms. The recommendationswere an outcome of comprehensive

consultative process that SDPD carriedout in around 65 districts of all the four

provinces, FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad

Jammu & Kashmir.

CURATIVEJURISDICTION:LEGISLATIVE BRIE F

A Legislative Brief on The CurativeJurisdiction [by Supreme Court] Bill

2012 was produced for SenateCommittee on Law, Justice andParliamentary Affairs. The Brief dilatesupon the provisions and assess meritsand demerits of the Bill. To produce theBrief, SDPD built partnership with InsafNetwork Pakistan, a countrywidenetwork of experts, civil societyorganizations and individuals.

INNOCENCE CLAIM:LEGISLATIVE B RIEF

A Legislative Brief on Review of theInnocence Claim Bill 2012 wasproduced for the Senate Committeeon Law, Justice & ParliamentaryAffairs in partnership with Insaf

Network Pakistan. The Bill iprovidesfor the establishment of andInnocence Inquiry Commission forthe persons convicted or sentencedwith either death or lifeimprisonment.

PARLIAMENTARYSUPPORT GROUP

A PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT

GROUP HAS BEEN FORMED WITH

PIPS AS ITS CHAIR AND UNDP AS

ITS CONVENER. THE GROUP WILL

PERIODICALLY EXCHANGE

INFORMATION AND IDEAS OF

MUTUAL INTEREST IMPORTANTFOR TJE CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

OF PARLIAMENTARY STAFF AND

OF HONORABLE MEMBERS.


9/12

UPCOMING

Induction Program 2013: SDPD isin the process of preparing forcomprehensive Induction Program for

the new parliamentarians after theGeneral Election s of 2013. TheInduction Program 2013 will be carriedout in partnership with NationalAssembly Secretariat, Parliaments ownPakistan Institute of ParliamentaryServices (PIPS) and a fellow project ofparliamentary strengthening beingsupported by European Union. Underthe Program, SDPD would publishnumber of knowledge products besidesholding orientation seminar for thefirst-time Members immediately afterthe oath-taking.

Committees Going Online: SDPDis provid ing ass i s tance to theCommittees of both the Houses todevelop their websites for betteracces sibilit y. Websit es of Sen ateCommittee on Law and Justice, NationalAssembly Standing Committee onFinance, Senate Standing Committee onF o r e i g n A f f a i r s a n d S e n a t e sGovernment Assurances Committee areunderway. However, due to proceduralhiccups, the matter regarding NationalAssemblys Public Accounts Committee

website has been kept in pending. Wehope it is going to be resolved soon. Thewebsites are expected to go online insecond quarter of 2013.

Communications Strategy forthe Parliament: During the Quarterof January-March 2013, SDPD initiatedconsultative process to develop thecommunications strategy for bothHouses of the Parliament. In order tocreate an enabling environment forparliament and the public to interactmore effectively, the project initiated theprocess to formulate the Strategy in

February. During which, consultationswere made with senior journalistscovering the parliament, civil societyrepresentatives and parliamentaryexperts. Second phase of tconsultationsin underway that consists of in-depthinterviews with Secretariats officials,while the parliamentarians views wouldbe taken in the third phase. SDPD plansto present the Debriefing of theStrategy to the Secretariat in June andsubmit the Draft Strategy to theparliament in July.

Performance of Human RightsCommittee: Compilation of aperformance report of the Committeethroughout its tenure (2008 2013) hasbeen initiated, which is expected to bepublished in April 2013, subject to theapproval from NA Secretariat.

NATIONALASSEMBLYSPERFORMANCE

SDPD has prepared a comprehensiveassessment report of the performance

of National Assembly of Pakistan duringits last tenure (March 2008 - March2013). This being first time inparliamentary history of Pakistan, ifbecomes a practice, could make aneffective tool of accountability of theparliament to the people. The report isgoing to be published in April after theapproval of National Assemblyauthorities.

TRIBUTE TOOUTGOING

NATION AL ASS EMBLY

Paying tribute to the outgoing NationalAssembly of Pakistan and greeting thepartners on the onset of new

parliamentary year (March 2013 -March 2014), SDPD has produced aplanner for the use of all partners incommon cause of strengtheningdemocracy in Pakistan. Viva lademocracia!

PAK-INDIA TRADE

This Briefing Paper was prepared forSenate Foreign Affairs Committeemembers before the Public Hearing onFuture of SAARC. The paper was laterincluded in the report of public hearingas Annexure. Another Paper preparedby SDPD that is going to appear in theReport is on Resolution of Disputesamong SAARC Countries for theBetterment of People. The Report isexpected to come out in the last weekof April.


10/12

PUBLIC ATIONS THIS QUARTER


11/12

SDPD RESEARCH TEAM

Team Leader: Marvi Sirmed, National Project Manager, SDPD

Mr. Abdul Karim Gabol,Advocacy & CommunicationsOfficer

Ms. Ayela Ashfaq

Ms. Salma Chaudhry

Mr. Bilal Khan KhattakMs. Zobia Haider

Ms. Javeria Farheen

Ms. Tahira Ambreen

Mr. Aakif Naeem

Could not have done it without your Support!

Syed Shamoon Hashmi,National Project Director SDPD /Joint Secretary National Assembly

Mr. Sharifullah Wazir, Focal PersonSDPD / Joint Secretary Senate ofPakistan

Mr. Azhar Saeed Malik, Assistant CountryDirector, UNDP Pakistan

Mr. Azhar Saeed Malik has brought a newvision to not only the Governanceportfolio of UNDP Pakistan, but also toSDPDs project approach. The Projectteam has benefitted greatly from his rich

experience and knowledge. As much aswe are saddened on his leaving thecountry, we are happy that he is pursuinga thriving career. We wish him best for hisfuture endeavours.

Syed Mujtaba Zaidi,Monitoring & Evaluation Officer


12/12

This is going to be a busy summer for

SDPD as it would for the National

Assembly! After the upcoming General

Elections, nations eyes are set on the

new National Assembly. SDPD, in very

close consultations with NationalAssembly Secretariat and Pakistan

Institute of Parliamentary Services

(PIPS), along side its partner in

parliamentary strengthening, European

Unions IP3 Project, is preparing for

New Parliamentarians orientation to

facilitate and assist them perform their

functions effectively.

The Joint Induction Seminar would be

held within first week of the oath-takingof the new members of National

Assembly. While SDPD would be an

active partner in the Induction Seminar,

i t v iews Induct ion 2013 as a

comprehensive and continued process.

Therefore, we have worked out SDPDs

signature Induction campaign in phases

with different sets of Sessions and

knowledge material. Main sets include:

A: General Orientation on Parliament-

specific themes

B: Specialized Policy Orientation

Sessions

C: Building the capability for specific

functions of legislation & oversight

Whats in the dock for SDPD summer

MATERIALFOR

INDUCTIONSEMINAR

1. HANDBOOKFORFIRST-

TIMEMEMBERS(FTMS)

2. PROCEDURALMANUALFOR

FTMS

3. BRIEFREFERRAL

GUIDELINESFOR

HONORABLEMEMBERS

4. GUIDEBOOKFORWOMEN

PARLIAMENTARIANS

BESIDES,ALLTHEMEMBERS

WILLBEPRESENTEDWITHBAGSCONTAINING

NECESSARYMATERIALAND

PARLIAMENTSBROOCHES

WELCOME FRANKLIN!We welcome Franklin De Vrieze to Pakistan andto SDPD, who would be joining us soon as ChiefTechnical Advisor. He has recently worked withUNDP Pakistan and was part of a Project ReviewMission for SDPD.

Franklin has worked on governance issues for 20years. His main areas of expertise areparliamentary development and good governanceprogramming, implementation & evaluation.

Currently, he works as international consultant inparliamentary development, including forprograms of the UNDP, European Commissionand USAID. He has conducted identification,formulation and evaluation missions forparliamentary and governance programs inEastern Europe, South Asia, Middle East and

Africa.

As Programme Manager of UNDPs GlobalProgramme for Parliamentary Strengthening(GPPS), he has been working on policy issuesrelevant to the legislative, oversight andrepresentative functions of parliament. Particularemphasis was given to innovative approaches toparliamentary development.

We hope he brings innovation and fresh globalperspective to parliamentary strengthening inPakistan. Welcome on board Franklin, we awaityou earnestly!

FRANKLIN DE VRIEZE

SDPD90-Hakeem Luqman

Road, G-6/3,IslamabadPakistan

+92-51-111-111-137W: www.sdpd.org.pkE: [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.sdpd.org.pk/http://www.sdpd.org.pk/

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SDPD Update Jan - April 2013

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