Representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over critical information technology equipment to the Secretary of the Provincial Assembly on Tuesday. Hassan Baroudy, Acting Director of the USAID-Pakistan Office of Democracy and Governance, formally presented the equipment to Muhammad Mushtaq, Secretary of the NWFP Provincial Assembly during a ceremony held at the Assembly building.
The equipment were provided by the USAID Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project (USAID/PLSP) that will strengthen the capacity of the Provincial Assembly of the North West Frontier Province to better serve the citizens of the province.
The equipment transferred to the NWFP Provincial Assembly includes computers and printer, high-end photocopiers, digital duplication equipment, recording and transcription equipment and software to enable the assembly to establish and maintain a state-of-the-art archival system, a modern library management system, and instant communications facilities for members of the assembly.
The equipment presented will help enable members better represent their constituents by facilitating a much greater access to information necessary for meeting the challenging issues they face in the Assembly, as well as enable Assembly staff better serve the Members, stated Secretary NWFP Assembly Mushtaq.
He further said, "We appreciate that we were consulted as partners regarding the procurements made under this program." Baroudy said, "The assistance officially delivered represents a major step forward in providing citizens with far greater access to how their provincial assembly functions, as well as the law and issues taken up by the members of the Assembly."
Funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by DAI, the $7.8 million Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project (PLSP) is partnering with Pakistan's national and provincial legislature to strengthen parliamentary institutions and processes.