05-May-2008
Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani Inaugurates Media Center in Balochistan Assembly
May 5, 2008: Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani inaugurated a Media Center in Balochistan Assembly, established with support of USAID Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project. Addressing the inaugural ceremony as Chief Guest, Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani said that USAID Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project has provided tremendous technical assistance to the Balochistan Assembly over last two and half year. It provided relevant knowledge and skills to our honorable members to understand the legislative process. It also made incredible efforts to build the capacity of Assembly staff, so that they can be of meaningful support to honorable members. He added that today we are going to inaugurate Media Center in Balochistan Assembly, and I am thankful to USAID PLSP for its establishment. This Media Center will facilitate Journalists to make more quick and accurate reporting of Assembly Proceedings. I am of the view that Media can play vital role in improving the representation of parliamentarians and the Assembly to the public. People are always interested to see the performance of their elected representatives and only Media can play the role of an information bridge between the representatives and the people, who elect them. He assured that Balochistan Assembly will always part of the efforts to strengthen democracy and improve legislation in the province. We would appreciate more partnership opportunities between USAID and Balochistan Assembly and through mutual cooperation we would be able to contribute in the democratization process of the country. Mr. Christopher Shields, Director USAID PLSP said that the Balochistan Provincial Assembly has been at the forefront of providing both state and private television with access to the assembly’s proceedings. This demonstrates not only the spirit of transparency but a commitment to the principles of democratic processes and accountability. The facility we are about to inaugurate today will provide Journalists with the necessary tools to tell the story of the work of the Assembly to the people of Balochistan. It will provide high-speed, real-time access for reporters, and enable them to provide even greater public access to the working of the Assembly through their reporting. Journalists from leading Media Channels and Newspapers attended the event.