On the Path to Reform!

On March 01, 2016, USAID Citizens’ Voice Project’s partner organization Pak Women presented the draft proposing amendments to the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, 1988. The amendments proposed by the Mardan-based organization are designed to improve the performance of the legislature and legislators; and strengthen the participation of citizens, stakeholders, and civil society in legislation and executive oversight.

The business rules of the assemblies in Pakistan are either outdated or not aligned with the aspirations of citizens, resulting in a general lack of interest in the legislative process. The below-potential performance of the legislature in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can be mainly attributed to the lack of understanding of business rules among both the legislators and custodians of the house, and lax implementation of the business rules governing the assembly proceedings.

In addition, no major amendments have been made to the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, 1988, since its inception despite the increase in the number of seats in the provincial assembly from 80 to 124. The lack of a review mechanism to ensure better representation of community needs in legislation, takes the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly further away from its mandate.

In line with the dire need and the reform agenda of USAID, Pak Women is implementing a project aimed at enhancing the performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly through building the capacity of the legislators and Finance Department officials. It would alsopropose amendments to the conduct of business rules in consultation with the key stakeholders.

To kick off its campaign, Pak Women organized three activities: (i) two-day training with MPAs and Finance Department officials on Public Account Committee Rules and Budget Analysis; (ii) two-day capacity-building session with MPAs on Legislation Drafting and Assessment; and (iii) two-day capacity-building session with MPAs on ‘Standing committees’ Rules and Parliamentary Notices’. These interventions not only enhanced the capacity of the members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly but also helped them in identifying the gaps in rules and procedures, impressing upon them the urgent need for reforms.

Next, Pak Women organized four meetings with MPAs, representing major political parties in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. “The members of eight major political parties were taken onboard, including the Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan, Awami National Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulemae-Islam-Fazl, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Qaumi Watan Party,” says Azra Gul, the executive director of Pak Women.

The participants proposed 14 points to amend the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules, 1988. The selected areas include: (i) Rules 31 to 48 on questions by MPAs and Rules 77 to 110 on legislation; (ii) making public hearing compulsory on amendments in existing laws and introduction of new laws; (iii) pre-budget consultation with MPAs and citizens; (iv) hosting and updating of assembly website; and (v) performance review of the legislature and legislators.

Finally, on March 1, Azra Gul presented the draft amendment bill to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr Meher Taj Roghani in her office. “The draft bill of proposed amendments submitted by Pak Women will be presented in the next assembly session and changes would be made after mutual consultation with all the MPAs,” Dr Roghani says.

The role of MPA Amna Sardar has also been crucial and now she has taken the responsibility to present the bill in the assembly. Sardar has already submitted the draft bill of amendments to the assembly secretariat to be an agenda item in the next assembly session. “The objective is to strengthen the voice of citizens for improving legislative governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Sardar says.

“The draft bill of proposed amendments to the Rules of Business submitted by Pak Women will be presented in the next session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.”

Dr. Meher Taj Roghani
Deputy Speaker,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly