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Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka to host All India Speakers' conference after 24 years: UT Khader
Legislative assembly speaker UT Khader MANGALURU: The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) All India Speakers ' Conference will be held in Bengaluru from September 8 to 10, said legislative assembly speaker UT Khader . Khader told reporters here on Friday that Karnataka is hosting the conference after a gap of 24 years. "The state requested the Speaker of the Lok Sabha , Om Birla , for permission to host the event. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha gave his nod to hold the conference in Bengaluru. Nearly 300 to 350 delegates, including Speakers of state Assemblies, Deputy Speakers, Council Chairmen of various states, and Deputy Chairmen, Secretaries of state legislative assemblies, as well as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, will be taking part in the conference," he said, adding that the conference was held in Delhi last year. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: 'India won't give face-saving exit to Pak army chief Asim Munir' IPL 2025: BCCI suspends IPL 2025 amid India-Pakistan tensions Fully intact, undetonated Chinese PL-15 missile found in Hoshiarpur A formal inaugural ceremony will be held at the Grand Steps of the Vidhana Soudha on September 8. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, ministers and other dignitaries will be present at the inaugural session. Various sessions will be held as part of the conference on September 9 and 10. The venue for the conference sessions is yet to be finalised. The topics for discussion will be decided after consultation with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The discussions will place more emphasis on strengthening democracy. The conference aims to provide a platform for participants across the country to deliberate on critical issues affecting respective assemblies, measures to strengthen democracy, and other related concerns, Khader said. "I am happy to hold the All India Speakers' Conference in Karnataka during my tenure as the Speaker of the Assembly along with Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti. We will also host a trip for the delegates to one of the major tourist locations in Karnataka on September 11. The delegates will be taken either to Mysuru, Mangaluru, or Belur Halebidu," he added.
The Courier
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Courier
Stirling MSP used Cayman Islands video link for Maggie Chapman vote
Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed played a critical role from the tropical Cayman Islands to halt a bid to remove Green politician Maggie Chapman from Holyrood's equalities committee. The vote was being held on Tuesday in response to Ms Chapman's comments accusing the Supreme Court of 'bigotry' in its judgment on the definition of a 'biological woman' for the purposes of equality law. SNP members of the committee voted with Ms Chapman to defeat the Conservative attempt to remove her by a single vote. The Courier has learned Ms Tweed, an SNP member of committee, played a crucial role from the Cayman Islands. She was in the British Overseas Territory acting as an international observer monitoring the island's elections as part of a delegation of the UK's Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The western Caribbean island is six hours behind the UK. It meant Ms Tweed would have been voting at around 4am local time. Appearing remotely, Ms Tweed had to be reminded by committee convener Karen Adam to turn her camera on so her vote could be registered. Without her 'no' vote the committee would have been split, leaving the incoming Dundee University rector's future position on the committee unclear. North East Tory MSP Tess White, who sits on the committee, said: 'This astonishing revelation sums up how disconnected SNP MSPs in the Scottish Parliament are from the real world. 'Maggie Chapman's skin was saved by a nationalist MSP getting up in the middle of the night while enjoying herself in the Caribbean. 'Disillusioned voters will find it appalling that a vote cast thousands of miles away is the reason this extremist Green MSP retains her privileges as deputy convener, despite her outrageous outburst against the Supreme Court. 'SNP bosses must also now clarify whether this vote was whipped after all, given Evelyn Tweed was closer to Havana than Holyrood at the time.' Asked about Ms Tweed's trip, a spokesperson for the MSP said she attend the committee remotely from a visit with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. First Minister John Swinney previously insisted his party would not tell its MSPs on the committee how to vote. The vote in the parliament on Tuesday was the latest twist in the divisive row over the balance between the rights of transgender people and women. The Green MSP spoke in her defence at the hearing, insisting she had a right to challenge the ruling. 'I have never questioned the court's right to make the ruling that it did. 'That does not mean I must agree with it. I don't,' Ms Chapman said.
Express Tribune
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Regional legislative cooperation pledged
LAHORE: The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) South-East Asia Regions Joint Conference concluded at the Punjab Assembly with the adoption of the "Lahore Charter", a framework aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, democratic governance, and legislative collaboration. Acting President of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, addressing the closing ceremony, emphasised that it is the responsibility of parliaments to bridge differences, enact laws catering to public needs, and promote cooperation, flexibility, and equality. He stressed that no single institution can tackle the challenges of the future alone. The conference, attended by over 100 representatives from 22 legislatures, including 12 speakers, 4 deputy speakers and delegations from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the United Kingdom, Zambia, Malaysia and Pakistan, provided a platform to shape governance models in response to 21st-century challenges. Gillani stated that the discussions held during the conference must now translate into legislation, cooperation frameworks, and long-term regional strategies. He asserted that modern governance demands innovation and partnership, and the Lahore Charter would serve as a cornerstone for regional cooperation. Additionally, he highlighted the need for empowering local governments to ensure sustainable and effective public services. Speakers, presiding officers, and delegates from the CPA branches of Asia and South-East Asia unanimously adopted the Lahore Charter, reaffirming their commitment to parliamentary democracy, constitutional supremacy, and inclusive growth. The charter recognises the crucial role of parliaments in ensuring accountability, advancing rights, and addressing regional challenges such as climate change, socio-economic inequalities, and technological advancements. The document outlined commitments to strengthening parliamentary oversight, enhancing local governance, developing legislative measures to combat climate change, promoting responsible use of artificial intelligence, tackling misinformation, addressing healthcare and education disparities, ensuring greater representation of marginalized groups, and fostering inter-parliamentary collaboration. A significant outcome of the conference was the National Assembly of Pakistan being declared the Permanent Regional Secretariat for CPA Asia. Delegates congratulated Pakistan on this achievement, emphasizing the country's role in strengthening regional parliamentary cooperation. Earlier in the day, a session on "Strengthening Local Governance: Legislative Pathways for Effective Decentralization" was held. Participants highlighted the importance of an empowered local government system as the primary connection between citizens and governance.
Express Tribune
04-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab Assembly to host international conference
LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly is set to host the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Asia and Southeast Asia Regional Conference, a landmark event scheduled to take place in Lahore from February 6 to 8. The conference will bring together over 100 parliamentary representatives from 20 countries, including 13 speakers, four deputy speakers and one Chairman, marking a significant moment for Pakistan's parliamentary diplomacy. Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan visited the Assembly to review the preparations and security arrangements for the international event. Speaking on the occasion, he emphasised, "The CPA Conference is a golden opportunity to promote Pakistan's parliamentary identity and enhance global parliamentary cooperation." He added that hosting this conference is not just an honor for Punjab but for all of Pakistan. The historic Punjab Assembly will serve as the venue for discussions on parliamentary democracy, transparent legislation, and accountability. Established in 1911, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) represents 180 parliaments across 56 countries, with the Punjab Assembly being a proud member since 1954. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan reiterated that the event will showcase Punjab's rich parliamentary traditions while fostering diplomatic engagement with international delegates. Delegations from Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the United Kingdom, Zambia, Malaysia, and several other nations will be attending the conference. The Speaker further directed that every aspect of the event be closely monitored to uphold the highest standards of hospitality and efficiency.
