PLSP / PIPS successfully conducted orientation programs for the elected Members in National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies after having spent months developing, testing and polishing curricula. The objectives of these programs were to assist parliamentarians in understanding how a legislature functions, and to enhance the capacities of newly elected members to appropriately represent their constituents as well as exercise their law-making oversight roles responsibly and effectively.
A good number of members attended these sessions. Even in the Provincial Assemblies of NWFP and Balochistan, orientations were each attended by more than 50 percent of their respective Members, reflecting both high turnover in seats and the strong participation of women, who hold nearly 20 percent of the seats in each Assembly. More than 70 percent of female Members have attended an orientation session.
The topics of the orientation modules included: Politician to Parliamentarian, Constitutional Authority of Parliament, Parliamentary History, Rules and Procedures, Business of the House, Parliamentary Privilege, Question Hour, Committees of Parliament, Legislative Process, Research and Informational Support for Legislators, Parliamentarians and the Budget, Parliamentarian as Legislators, and Constituency Relations.
During these interactive sessions, members engaged in lively debate. The zeal and enthusiasm to serve the people and to see parliament as an independent institution was much apparent in these orientation programs.