The US Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, Michael Hess, called on Speaker National Assembly, Dr Fehmida Mirza, here on Friday to discuss key aspects of USAID Democracy and Governance programme in Pakistan.
"Since 2005, USAID has been committed to working with the parliament to modernise infrastructure and enhance skills of all members of parliament in Pakistan so that they can better serve their constituents," Michael Hess said. "USAID has been actively engaged in establishment of a permanent Parliament Institute for all legislatures in Pakistan."
USAID's Assistant Administrator, who arrived on a two-day visit to Pakistan, also discussed future USAID assistance to the parliament, focusing particularly the goal of showing live broadcasts of legislative proceedings.
Support for USAID's Democracy and Governance programmes is part of the 1.5 billion dollar in aid that the US Government is providing to Pakistan through USAID over five years to improve economic growth, education, health, governance and to reconstruct areas affected by the October 2005 earthquake.