Sindh Assembly Resumes Global Stage: 150+ International Delegates Convene for Landmark CPA Conference After 14 Years
Imran
KARACHI – After a hiatus of 14 years, the Sindh Assembly has once again become the epicenter of international parliamentary diplomacy, hosting the 7th CPA Asia Regional Conference and the 2nd Joint CPA Asia & South-East Asia Regional Conference.
The prestigious event, themed "Future Parliaments: Redefining Democracy through Trust, Inclusion, Innovation, and Peace," brought together over 150 Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and parliamentarians from four countries and 17 state assemblies across Asia and South-East Asia.
Inaugural Session: A Legacy of Democracy
Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Awais Qadir Shah, welcomed the global dignitaries by highlighting Sindh’s rich civilizational heritage, from the Indus River to the archaeological marvels of Mohenjo-Daro and Makli. He paid tribute to the land’s democratic icons, including Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the Muslim world’s first female Prime Minister, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
Speaker Shah emphasized that in an era of global conflict and technological shifts, "Dialogue and parliamentary cooperation are the only paths to sustainable peace."
Global Perspectives on Governance
National Assembly Speaker, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq: Guest of Honor Sadiq noted that the Sindh Assembly building is a silent witness to Pakistan’s creation. He praised Sindh’s leading role in women’s political representation and urged parliaments to embrace AI and accountability.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon: Memon called for "zero tolerance" toward democratic weaknesses, stating that transparent and inclusive parliaments are the bedrock of strong nations.
CPA Chairperson Dr. Christopher Kalila: Highlighted the four pillars of future parliaments: inclusion, innovation, transparency, and ethical leadership, with a focus on representing minorities and persons with disabilities.
Regional Insights on Peace and Trust
During the plenary session titled "Parliament’s Mediatory Role in Peace and Democratic Trust," regional leaders shared critical insights:
Maldives: Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim warned that a lack of trust in institutions leads to authoritarianism and social unrest.
Sri Lanka: Deputy Speaker Dr. Mohamed Rizvie Salley shared how their parliament worked to restore public trust following the 2022 economic crisis.
United Kingdom: Lord Paul Boateng (House of Lords) urged parliaments to move beyond speeches to "tangible results," using technologies like Blockchain for transparency.
Malaysia: Speakers from Kelantan, Pahang, and Selangor emphasized the impartial role of the Speaker and the necessity of live broadcasting proceedings to combat misinformation.
Expert Analysis & Institutional Strengthening
Senator Mian Raza Rabbani described the conference as timely, citing the challenges of populism and digital shifts. He presented Pakistan’s 18th Amendment and NFC Award as successful models of democratic decentralization.
Earlier, the conference hosted a high-level meeting of CPA Branch Secretaries to finalize the "Draft Concept Note" for the Asia Parliamentary Exchange Program. This 5-to-7-day program aims to educate members on legislative models, oversight, and constituency management across the region.
The conference, running from February 3 to 7, will continue tomorrow with further sessions featuring international delegations.
