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PPP, PML-N join hands for SFPS establishment
By Tanveer AhmedISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PNL-N) government and opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have joined hands to amend the rules for establishment of Senate Forum for Policy Research (SFPS).
The parliamentary leaders of both parties – Senator Raza Rabbani of PPP and Mushahidullah Khan of PML-N – will move the amendment in the session of Senate today (Monday) in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012. The forum will mainly suggest to the Senate, ways to coordinate the activities between National Assembly and the Senate particularly with reference to Private Members’ Bills, recommendations made by the Senate to the National Assembly in respect of the Finance Bill and matters related to the Special Committees/Joint Committees, IPU and CPA.
It shall advise and assist the legislative drafting unit and research cell of the Senate and the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PPIS) and in consultation with the Chairman Senate, advise the donor agencies regarding Parliamentary Development Programs.
It will also suggest ways and means to enhance the efficiency, working and effectiveness of the Committees of the Senate and compile and disseminate knowledge generated by Senate proceedings, committee reports and proceedings at international and regional Parliamentary meetings.
Besides, it will provide input on policy issues and prepare a statute Book of Pakistan to be kept under the custody of the Chairman of the Senate which he willl; hand over to the next Chairman at the time of laying down his office. It will keep the compendium of Pakistan Laws up to date, year-wise and subject-wise. The Forum will consist of sixteen members, eight sitting m embers of the Senate and eight former members of the Senate as nominated by the Chairman in consultation with the Parliamentary Leaders in the House. Chairman of the Senate will be the Patron of the Forum.
The Chairman of the Forum will be elected from amongst its members in its first meeting after its establishment or reconstitution.
The Secretary of the Senate will be the ex-officio Secretary of the Forum and will be responsible for maintaining the record of the Forum and to correspond on its behalf. The tenure of the members will be for a period of three years and Chairman will nominate members of the forum within thirty days of the commencement of the term of the newly elected members under clause (3) of Article 59 of the Constitution.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk