December 4, 2003	Thursday	Shawwal 8, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 3: National Assembly speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain has said the parliamentary committees are the most effective instrument to keep an eye on the government’s performance.

The National Assembly speaker was talking to Ann Tayler, the chairperson of the British House of Commons Select Committee on Security and Intelligence, who called on him here on Wednesday.

The speaker briefed the five-member British delegation on the Constitution, procedure of elections and functions and operations of National Assembly standing committees.

Mr Hussain appreciated the role and importance of the Select Committee, which was very useful for the British government to keep a check on security and intelligence agencies.

He also briefed the delegation about the representation of women at various levels of Pakistan’s democratic system.

Meanwhile, a delegation comprising representatives of three non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which have joined hands to train legislators and the parliamentary staff to strengthen democracy, also met the National Assembly speaker on Wednesday.

The United States Agency for International Development director, Mark Ward, was the head of the delegation. The delegates apprised the speaker of the aims and objectives of the training programme.

The representatives said objectives of the training would be to bridge the gap between the legislators, the government, the civil society and the media through enhanced interaction.

The organizations have agreed to work on a project for this purpose at the federal as well as provincial levels.

The speaker appreciated the efforts and assured them of full cooperation of the National Assembly Secretariat. He hoped the project would strengthen democracy in the country.

National Assembly secretary Mahmood Saleem Mahmood was also present in the meeting.

NASIR IQBAL ADDS: Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro on Wednesday said exchange of parliamentary delegations would definitely help strengthen the bilateral ties between the UK and Pakistan.

The Senate chairman was talking to a delegation of the British House of Common Intelligence and Security Select Committee at the Parliament House.

Mr Soomro said Pakistan was willing to benefit from the British experience and would appreciate sharing of information, data and intelligence.

He said Pakistan overcame the difficulties and controlled the crimes through greater vigilance.

The Senate chairman was of the view that poverty and deprivation were the major causes of frustration in the society.

Replying to a question, Mr Soomro told the delegation that the trend of greater participation of people in both the local bodies as well as general elections was quite visible in the last polls.