[:en]BY A SHEHZAD
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly (PA) has approved amendments in the rules and regulations.
The amendments gave standing committees more powers to scrutinize government policies, spending and public applications.
Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan says now the committees will also have an important role in the implementation of the decisions of the assembly and financial supervision.
“There will be mandatory representation of women in all committees. Gender mainstreaming will be ensured in the legislative process,” he said.
“These amendments will help streamline our process and make the Assembly more transparent and accountable to the public,” the speaker added.
The amendments transferred some powers of the speaker to the Standing Committees for the first time in the history of Pakistan, he explained
The amendment will provide continuity in parliamentary affairs and further increase the powers of committee chairmen, Khan reiterated.
Under the new rules, the proceedings of the Assembly will be live-streamed. Reports of all committees will be available to the public on the Assembly website, he said.
These reforms ensure that the Assembly functions effectively, transparently and in accordance with the highest standards of governance, the speaker highlighted.
These make the assembly accountable to the public and able to serve with integrity, he concluded.[:]