Speaker Ayaz Sadiq Emphasizes Stronger Parliamentary Ties with UK During Meeting with British High Commissioner

Islamabad – Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has emphasized the importance of enhanced parliamentary cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom to deepen bilateral relations and promote shared development goals. He made these remarks during a meeting with British High Commissioner Ms. Jane Marriott at Parliament House.

The Speaker highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding and valued relationship with the United Kingdom and noted that inter-parliamentary engagement is essential to mutual progress. The meeting focused on institutional reforms, legislative transparency, youth inclusion, and technological modernization within the Pakistani Parliament.

Outlining ongoing initiatives, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq shared that Pakistan’s Parliament has become the first in the world to be fully solar-powered, branding it as a “Green Parliament.” He also highlighted the overwhelming response to the recently launched Parliamentary Internship Programme, which received over 60,000 applications, with more than 200 interns selected on a merit-based and inclusive framework. “It is vital to engage young people in democratic processes through meaningful parliamentary exposure,” he stated.

The Speaker detailed his direct engagement with over 1,400 National Assembly employees to identify concerns and improve workplace welfare. He further revealed that parliamentary staff are undergoing training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to modernize governance. “While AI presents challenges, its role in advancing governance and public services cannot be ignored,” he added.

He noted that Parliament’s Legislative Council, established in 2014, is actively working to strengthen committee structures, with technical staff assigned to support legislative review. Private Members’ Bills, once neglected, are now being routinely referred to the relevant committees for bipartisan scrutiny.

In a significant development, the National Assembly’s Finance Committee is reviewing the federal budget 2025–26 for the first time, marking a step forward in institutional oversight and financial accountability.

Speaker Sadiq also discussed pressing national challenges such as population growth and socio-economic disparities, calling for forward-looking, coordinated policy frameworks. He informed the High Commissioner about the success of the 18th Speakers’ Conference, aimed at harmonizing federal and provincial legislative efforts, and highlighted the creation of an Association of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) to promote transparency and coordination among assemblies.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s peaceful foreign policy, the Speaker emphasized that Pakistan pursues peace and restraint, noting that recent national resilience in conflict situations demonstrates its preference for diplomacy over aggression. “It is always the common man who suffers most in times of war, and therefore global peace must be our shared priority,” he stated.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott commended Speaker Sadiq’s inclusive and consultative leadership, especially his initiatives to involve all political parties in legislative decision-making. She lauded Pakistan’s sustainability efforts and emphasized the importance of shared learning between parliaments. She also reaffirmed the UK’s continued partnership with Pakistan in education, climate resilience, and social development.