Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly, said the institution of Speaker was held in high esteem as a protector of parliamentary democracy all over the world. She was speaking at 16th Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference at the Punjab Assembly premises here on Tuesday.
She said that heavy burden lies on the post of Speaker to be impartial beyond doubt so that democracy could run efficiently. She said in her two-year experience of the post, it was felt that constitution, democracy and rules of business should be adhered in toto so that system flourishes and country becomes strong.
The Speaker underlined the importance of standing committees and other committees in the Business of the Assembly. She said that it was these committees on whose performance, success of the assemblies rested. She said the February 18 elections had provided representation to women directly and indirectly from national and provincial constituencies.
She said it was the need of the hour that women Parliamentarians should be encouraged, guided and supported in all respects to help them play their due role. She said in the National Assembly proceedings, women excelled by raising 60 percent of questions, raising call attention notices and other relevant matters.
She said that the world was changing around fast and if they would not be able to move fast along the changing world, then they would fall back. She said a stable democracy would be viable only if they prepared it to face challenges around it.
The Speaker pointed out that it was their responsibility to safeguard the democracy. Fehmida Mirza applauded the role of the city of Lahore and its place in national history on the occasion. Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal speaking on the occasion underlined the importance of the history of Punjab and added that Punjab Province played its role in historical movements, including role against dictators.