ISLAMABAD: The Senate of Pakistan had launched a comprehensive self-assessment, utilizing the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and partners’ self-assessment Indicators for Democratic Parliaments toolkit. The endeavor, which spanned three months, concluded with the identification of 14 pivotal opportunities for institutional improvement.
Under a dedicated steering committee comprising three senators, in collaboration with the Senate’s Secretary General and support from the parliamentary digital development unit, the self-assessment process delved into various facets of parliamentary operations. From administrative capacities to accessibility standards, the review scrutinized the very essence of democratic functioning, including openness, inclusivity, and transparency.
The beginning of this initiative traces back to the collaborative efforts initiated in 2019, with the IPU partnering with parliamentary organizations and stakeholders to develop the self-assessment toolkit. Spearheaded by a staff member of the Parliament of Pakistan, the proposal swiftly garnered political backing within the Senate, underscoring the commitment to introspective evaluation and progressive reform.
At the heart of the self-assessment lay 25 meticulously crafted Indicators, aligning with the UN’s sustainable development goals. However, the task was not without its challenges, as senators and parliamentary staff grappled with time constraints and the meticulous gathering of evidence for nearly 500 criteria.
The culmination of this arduous process yielded a comprehensive document, encompassing feedback, grades, and recommendations for change. Notably, the Senate unearthed 14 key opportunities for bolstering the institution’s efficacy, with a significant emphasis on gender equality.
Among the notable recommendations put forth by the Senate are the establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office, the fortification of parliamentary oversight in ministerial appointments, and the implementation of legal provisions to ensure equal access and transparency in parliamentary proceedings.
Furthermore, the Senate underscored the importance of gender mainstreaming in parliamentary policies, advocating for workshops and dialogue sessions to promote gender-responsive budgeting and periodic assessments of gender balance within the Secretariat.
The IPU’s approach, characterized by facilitation rather than dictation, underscores the essence of parliamentary ownership and legitimacy.
