Message of Speaker National Assembly
Distinguished Participants,
I am truly delighted to see the holding of this first ever National Parliamentary Conference on Millennium Development Goals. This event is indeed going to be a watershed in the history of elected representatives across Pakistan, who have got together to demonstrate their commitment and ownership towards advancing the development agenda with a coordinated and cohesive approach in Pakistan.
Socio-economic development is the top priority of the current government. On account of the unfortunate natural and man-made calamities occurring in Pakistan during the last decade, however, the pace and process of development was greatly impeded. The greatest challenge under the circumstances has been of appropriate resource allocation and strategic planning to perpetuate development in a cohesive and inclusive manner. Pakistan’s national as well as international commitments call for putting a strong and effective mechanism in place that could deal with any contingencies, ensure accountability, and wipe out all social cultural barriers for development. One of the strong elements of sustainable development lies in the long-term investments in economic, human and environmental capital. This means ensuring that adequate investment is made in health and education sectors without discrimination, and that equal opportunities of access to justice and resources is facilitated for women and men equally. Expediting the national development agenda should be the dream and prime objective of any elected representative, and it is indeed so for me. I personally feel that the elected representatives of the people must take charge of the national development agenda, demonstrate its ownership on account of their oversight role and take appropriate measures to optimally facilitate and spearhead the process through various means. It is with this vision that I invoked the parliamentary oversight role of the National Assembly and notified the Special Task Force on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), headed by a young and dynamic woman Parliamentarian MNA Marriyum Aurangzeb. The Task Group is mandated to examine the existing status of the national development agenda, especially in the light of post 18th amendment scenario, and to identify the issues and challenges in its full attainment. The Task Group is result oriented as it would propose recommendations and develop mechanisms for the effective implementation of the national development in line with Pakistan’s national and international commitments.
It gives me a great sense of satisfaction to note that the elected representatives from across political parties across Pakistan are supporting the government in its endeavours to secure a prosperous Pakistan. I am pleased to note that on my request, Speakers of all the Provincial and Legislative Assemblies in the country have also formed Task Forces in their respective legislatures. The fact that all concerned issues, as indicated in the MDGs have been devolved to the provinces in the post 18th Amendment Scenarios, makes it all the more important to enable and encourages the provincial legislatures to mobilise their Members in these critical areas. I am further pleased to see that all Task Groups at the national as well as at the provincial level are working jointly in a cohesive, inclusive and collaborative manner. They are already interacting with all key relevant stakeholders and line departments to understand the respective issues and challenges being faced on ground to implement the development agenda.
The first-ever National Meeting of all these task-forces is surely a right step in the right direction. I hope that this meeting will help evolve the emergence of a national parliamentary agenda for all the respective legislatures, focusing on establishing effective mechanisms of legislation, oversight and representation for the speedy attainment of these Goals.
I wish the distinguished participants all the best and pray for their success in this national cause.
Best Wishes,
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq
Speaker National Assembly
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