March 08, 2008	Saturday	Safar 29, 1429

KARACHI, March 7: Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project, an initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has planned provision of basic orientation for the newly-elected legislators to enhance their ability to meet challenging issues.

Besides legislators’ programme, which will be held under the auspices of the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, the USAID is also extending cooperation in various fields like education, health and culture to improve facilities for research, quality of life and also organising exchange programme for a better understanding about the US and its people.

This was stated by the US vice-consul of the US consulate in Karachi, Karen R. Waltz-Davis, on Thursday.

She was talking to journalists after awarding certificates to the participants of a 10-day English language proficiency skill development programme organised by the USAID-PLSP for the officials of the Sindh assembly secretariat at the Parliamentary Information Technology Resource Centre.

The US diplomat also referred to the Lincoln Corners, including the one in Karachi, where programmes were arranged for students, educators, women and children with research facilities.

Catherine Rodriguez, management officer of the consulate, hoped that the programmes being organised by the centre would help strengthen national and provincial legislatures.