Islamabad (TDI): Mary Cummins, team leader of Mustehkam Parlimaan (MuP), called on Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate of Pakistan, at Parliament House on a farewell visit marking the conclusion of her tenure.
The meeting served as an opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved under the five-year strategic framework of the Mustehkam Parlimaan (MuP) program.
Cummins presented a comprehensive overview of the initiative’s key milestones, underscoring its sustained efforts to strengthen parliamentary institutions in Pakistan through collaboration with the European Union.
She highlighted MuP’s contributions toward improving legislative processes, enhancing the institutional capacity of Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff, and reinforcing oversight and governance mechanisms.
According to Cummins, the program focused on building a more responsive and transparent parliamentary system, grounded in best practices and international standards.
She emphasized that the continued partnership between Pakistani parliamentary institutions and the European Union has played a pivotal role in fostering democratic resilience and institutional reform.
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Chairman Senate commended MuP’s role in advancing institutional development and democratic consolidation in the country. He observed that a strong, transparent, and responsive Parliament remains the cornerstone of sustainable democracy.
Highlighting ongoing reforms within the Senate, Chairman Gilani shared that the upper house is undertaking forward-looking initiatives aimed at modernizing parliamentary functions.
Among these is the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based system designed to provide legislators with real-time access to information.
He noted that the integration of modern technology into parliamentary operations would significantly enhance legislative efficiency, support informed decision-making, and strengthen oversight of public initiatives.
Describing Parliament as the “mother institution” of the state, the Chairman reiterated that sustainable national development must be anchored in transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
He also expressed appreciation for the constructive partnership between the Senate of Pakistan and international development partners committed to reinforcing parliamentary democracy in Pakistan.
