The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services and National Assembly SDGs Secretariat organized a knowledge sharing round table consultation on Sustainable Development Goals held at PIPS and National Assembly SDGs Secretariat on the 2nd and 3rd November, respectively. The consultation was attended by more than 50 participants including 25 Honorable Members of the Parliamentary SDGs Taskforce, members from provincial and legislative assemblies, and 30 dignitaries from the fields of human rights, economics, health, education and population. The panelists highlighted various challenges and policy options regarding the progress and implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in all parts of the country. Honorable Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage, and Convener National SDGs Parliamentary Taskforce Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb chaired the occasion.
The first day of the conference included a knowledge sharing session on SDGs situation and challenges in respective administrative units of Pakistan, chaired by Hon. Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb followed by a panel discussion in which convener of the SDGs taskforce from each assembly shared their progress and initiatives regarding Sustainable Development Goals. Mr Zafar ullah Khan, Executive Director PIPS gave the welcome remarks and highlighted the role of SDGs taskforce and PIPS support to them. MPAs Ms Azma Bokhari, Convener SDGs Taskforce in Provincial Assembly of Punjab, Mr Fida Muhammad Khan (GB Assembly), Mr Abdus Sattar MPA Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ch Javed Akhter MLA (AJK) and Hon Speaker Ms Rahila Hameed Khan Durrani (Balochistan) Convener also spoke on the occasion. Moreover, Databook on SDGs, a publication of PIPS, was officially launched on the day by Convener National Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb along with fellow members and Conveners of the Taskforce. The MPs appreciated the research and analysis support by the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services especially to the SDGs parliamentary taskforces.
The first session was followed by a talk on SDGs Progress and Implementation by Mr. Ali Kemal, Economic Advisor SDGs Planning Commission. Also included in the day’s agenda was a thematic panel discussion on women-led social development initiatives in Pakistan. The panel included Ms. Mehnaz Akber Ali, President PARWAAN and Ms. Seemin Ashfaq, Director Communications, Population Council who talked about “Early Childhood Care and Education” and “Population Challenge and Policy Options for Pakistan,” respectively. Honorable Speaker Balochistan Assembly, Ms. Raheela Hameed Khan Durrani chaired the session while Director Research and IT Mr Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka moderated the sessions two and three. PIPS held the absorbing round table with the support of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. The participants congratulated Parliamentary SDGs taskforce and PIPS organizing team for their effort in hosting the roundtable.
Taking the discussion further, day two of the conference included an address by the Deputy Representative UNICEF, Ms. Cristian Munduate on “Population related health, education and WASH deprivations affecting children.” Honorable Speaker GB Legislative Assembly, Mr. Fida Muhammad Nashad chaired the session moderated by Mr Zafarullah Khan, ED, PIPS. The address was followed by a brainstorming session to devise a way forward on SDGs in which recommendations were collected from every House and Honorable Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb herself chaired the session. Furthermore, a discussion was held on devising an agenda and planning for the National Parliamentary Conference on Population and Fundamental Rights to be held in fall 2017. A 10-days period was given to all the provincial and legislative assemblies to submit their respective proposals regarding the agenda of the conference, according to the customized needs of their provinces to the SDGs taskforce and PIPS who will provide expert assistance on demand. The session concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr. Zafarullah Khan Executive Director PIPS followed by the presentation of a copy of group photo to all participating members as a souvenir by Ms Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage and Mr Fida Muhammad Nashad, Speaker, Gilgit Baltistan Assembly.