The Parliamentary Centre in Asia

Parliamentary and Political Party Strengthening Program in Pakistan

About the Parliamentary Centre

The Parliamentary Centre is a Canadian not-for-profit, non-partisan organization devoted to improving the effectiveness of representative assemblies around the world.  Founded in 1968 to strengthen the capacity of Canada’s Parliament, the Centre is now a global leader in parliamentary development with projects that support parliaments in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Read more at: www.parlcent.ca

About the Program

In March 2009, the Centre launched the implementation of the Parliamentary and Political Party Strengthening Program in Pakistan (PPPSP) with support from the Global Peace and Security Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Canada.  The Centre is implementing the project in cooperation with the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT). The project is focused on strengthening the role played by parliamentary committees and political party caucuses in the national budget making process.

Latest Accomplishments and Milestones

A pre-budget briefing session for Members of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab took place on January 21, 2010 in Lahore as part of PPPSP. The session, which was attended by over 150 MPAs and staff, provided an overview of the current budget process and the upcoming Budget and the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the year 2010-2011 helping MPAs to contribute more effectively during a forthcoming Pre-Budget Session of the Provincial Assembly. 20 MPAs from various political parties presented their recommendations for inclusion in the budget.

With support from PPPSP, on February 18, 2010 Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue of the National Assembly of Pakistan held a pre-budget public consultation for the first time in its history. The opening speech of Ms. Fauzia Wahab, Chairperson of the Committee pointed to the intention to establish a long-standing mechanism for parliamentary consultation in Pakistan. The public consultation was preceded by a decision of the Federal Cabinet on February 10 to present Budget proposals to Parliamentary Committees to allow in-depth budget review and input paving the way for stronger parliamentary oversight and control over the budget process. The Government has officially noted its support for the National Assembly and Senate committees to exercise proper oversight of the budget and parliamentarians have hailed the decision.