Chairman Senate emphasizes enhanced cooperation b/w civil society & govt institutions to address challenges faced by underprivileged communities
ISLAMABAD, May 30 (SABAH): Chairman Senate, Mir Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, presided over a meeting held at the Parliament House with the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) team consisting of country directors and senior representatives of various International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs). The meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration between civil society organizations, government institutions, and implementing agencies to address the challenges faced by marginalized communities in Pakistan, with a particular focus on Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and remote areas of Sindh and Punjab.
During the meeting, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani highlighted the pressing need for a collective and unified approach to tackle issues related to health, education, poverty, and climate change-induced natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures. He emphasized that the Senate of Pakistan is committed to providing full support to humanitarian organizations working for the upliftment of destitute and underprivileged sections of society.
To foster better coordination and implementation of development projects, Chairman Senate proposed the establishment of a Parliamentary caucus in coordination with the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF). This caucus would serve as a platform for collaboration and enable more effective assistance to the communities in need.
Recognizing the valuable role played by the PHF and other organizations in serving humanity with dedication and passion, Chairman Senate endorsed the idea of hosting a donor conference to generate funds for the rehabilitation of flood-affected communities. He emphasized the importance of organizing such events throughout the country, with a specific focus on far-off areas, to not only shed light on the challenges faced by these communities but also showcase the cultural diversity of Pakistan.
Chairman Senate also called upon the PHF to propose legislation that would create an enabling environment for local and international NGOs. He encouraged studying successful models from both developing and developed countries where such legislation has proved productive.
The Chairman of the PHF, Adil Sheraz, briefed Chairman Senate about the organization’s goals, mission, and initiatives taken to serve the people of Pakistan. Representatives from various INGOs provided insights into the proposed donor conference and expressed their willingness to work collaboratively with the upper house in reaching out to people in desperate need of assistance.
PHF representatives expressed their gratitude to the government for creating an enabling environment for INGOs. They emphasized the importance of encouraging and facilitating donor visits to areas requiring attention, and they believe that the donor conference will play a vital role in achieving these objectives.
Chairman Senate was accompanied by Senators Fida Muhammad, Dilawar Khan, Sana Jamali, and Rana Mehmood ul Hasan, Secretary Senate Mohammad Qasim Samad Khan, Senior Officials of the Senate Secretariat and Representatives of various INGOs also attended the meeting.