Senate, NA leadership pledge closer cooperation for stable parliamentary system

ISLAMABAD: The leadership of the Senate and National Assembly on Saturday agreed to enhance institutional cooperation and coordination for a stable parliamentary democratic system.

According to a statement issued by the Senate Secretariat, Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani met National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah at his residence.

The meeting focused on parliamentary affairs, matters of national importance and inter-institutional coordination, it said.

The Senate chairman said close coordination between the two Houses was indispensable for upholding “strong democratic traditions and an effective parliamentary system”.

He added that, “mutual cooperation and effective liaison between the Senate and the National Assembly were essential for the stability of the parliamentary system”.

Sadiq said institutional collaboration must be further strengthened for effective legislation and to meet public expectations, the statement said. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to making cooperation between the two Houses more effective.

During the meeting the leaders also held a detailed discussion on the overall situation in the country.

They agreed on the need to promote national interest, uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and advance democratic stability, the statement said.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promote effective communication and mutual respect between parliamentary institutions and to further consolidate harmony and cooperation between the Senate and the National Assembly, the statement added.

A day earlier, Gilani inaugurated the newly modernised office complex of the Senate Secretariat at Parliament House, calling it a step towards institutional reform and strengthening parliamentary capacity.

Addressing the ceremony, he said, “strong democratic institutions required modern systems, efficient infrastructure and a professional working environment”.

He termed the upgradation part of a broader reform agenda aimed at improving service delivery and enabling the Secretariat to support Parliament in discharging its constitutional responsibilities.