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The Sitting of the National Assembly has been adjourned to meet again on Thursday, the 25th April, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
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Three Day National Conference on MDGs Kicks Off, Legislators’ participation urged in achieving rule of law and good governance

PRESS RELEASE

ISLAMABAD, 2 JUNE 2014: The National Parliamentary Conference on MDGs held an introductory session at the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Affairs today. The conference will be formally inaugurated tomorrow by the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. National and provincial Task Forces on the MDGs operating at the federal and provincial levels are participating in the conference. Experts from different areas of the MDGs will also speak dedicated sessions spanning three days.

The conference was called in response to UNDP research indicating that Pakistan adopted 16 targets with 41 indicators. Of the 34 indicators for which data is available, 24 are off track and unlikely to be met by 2015. The legislators will review current MDG status and work to determine a way forward.

The Chairperson of the Special MDG Task Force, Member of the National Assembly Marriyum Aurangzeb, opened today’s session. She briefed the participants on the purpose and expected outcomes of the conference. “This is the first time we have all met together, the national MDG Task Force and the provincial MDG Task Forces. This conference will help Parliamentarians to gain tools and techniques to achieve the MDGs.”

Mr. Shakeel Ahmed, UNDP Policy Analyst, provided an overview of the current MDG status and the post-2015 agenda.

The first session of the conference, “Peace and Stability, Good Governance, Monitoring and Accountability: Driving Socio-economic Development Reforms”highlighted the role of elected representatives in ensuring rule of law as well as improving governance in Pakistan. The speakers included representatives of the World Bank, UNDP and international law experts.

UNDP Assistant Country Director Amir Goraya thanked the parliamentarians for gathering to discuss the development issues of the country. “Parliamentarians can play a pivotal role in achieving the MDGs,” he said.

Mr. Zubair Bhatti, World Bank Pakistan Governance Chief, shared his experiences working with elected representatives as a civil servant and the importance of their role in development. “Elected officials need to develop capable institutions that can reach down to the lowest tier of the society. You need to strike a balance between long-term development and managing your constituency.”

International Law Expert Barrister Ahmar Bilal Soofi emphasised the need to legislate on MDG related subjects. “Challenges of governances have increased in the post-18th amendment scenario,” he stated.

The conference will continue tomorrow with sessions on individual MDGs.