MUZAFFARABAD: A three-day orientation programme for newly elected members and officials of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly began on Tuesday, focusing on legislative procedures, parliamentary oversight, budget scrutiny and governance.

Organised by the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) on the directions of Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, the programme will continue until Oct 22, according to a press release issued by the Assembly Secretariat.

The opening day focused on the AJK Interim Constitution, 1974, the assembly’s rules of procedure and the legislative process, including differences between government bills and private members’ bills.

The second day will cover parliamentary questions, call-attention notices, resolutions and debates, along with cross-party engagement, constituent outreach and the role of parliament in advancing Sustainable Development Goals.

The final day will focus on regional and international affairs concerning AJK, the powers and functions of parliamentary committees, and the assembly’s role in financial oversight. Participants will also be familiarised with the state budget-making process and techniques for examining and analysing budget documents.

The programme aims to strengthen legislators’ capacity to discharge their responsibilities, improve institutional oversight and raise public issues effectively on the assembly floor, the press release said.

PIPS had earlier offered academic and technical assistance for the programme, including its design and coordination of resource persons and facilitators.

In a letter dated Aug 25, PIPS Executive Director Asim Khan Goraya had proposed exploring the involvement of a development partner to meet the programme’s expenses, while the Assembly Secretariat was to facilitate participants’ travel and accommodation. The letter outlined the proposed arrangements but did not confirm whether they were subsequently implemented.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2026