Overlapping mandates, ambiguous rules & evolving nature of challenges create complexity: Hafeezullah Sheikh
ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 (EPI): Special Secretary, Senate, Hafeezullah Sheikh has said that climate change, food security, water scarcity, and energy transitions, are multidimensional and deeply interconnected issues which are not confined to a single policy domain or ministry.
He expressed these views at the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments’ Autumn Session which is being held in Geneva, Switzerland. The theme of the sessions “Managing conflicting competencies between parliamentary Committees”. ASGP, is a consultative body of the IPU. Highlighting the causes, he informed the Participants that overlapping mandates, ambiguous rules and evolving nature of challenges create complexity.
He said that parliamentary committees are often structured according to ministries, meaning that challenges crossing several domains tend to create overlaps and as a result, conflicting competencies arise, with committees duplicating efforts or offering contradictory solutions.
He said that the Challenge of Conflicting Competencies is real, adding that Conflicting competencies among parliamentary committees often arise due to overlapping mandates, ambiguous rules, and political dynamics.
He stressed the need to address this growing challenge and adopt a range of strategies that enhance coordination and collaboration among committees.
He observed that one of the most effective ways to manage conflicting competencies is by ensuring that each parliamentary committee has clearly defined mandate and specific areas of jurisdiction.
He further informed that Senate Rules of Procedure explicitly outlines committee jurisdictions and requires special permission from the Chairman Senate in cases of overlap. This minimizes the likelihood of conflict and helps to maintain clarity regarding which committee is responsible for.
The Senate, he said has established a formal coordination mechanism, and the council of Committee Chairmen, a forum comprising the heads of standing and functional committees, plays a key role in resolving jurisdictional disputes and promoting coordination across committees.
He further said that in the face of complex, interconnected issues, parliaments may consider grouping related committees into clusters. He also highlighted the significance of regular reviews and adjustment and capacity building and training.
He informed the participants that Pakistan’s Parliament, especially Senate, has implemented several mechanisms to streamline committee functions and prevent overlaps. Joint committees of the Parliament, Parliamentary Caucuses, Women Parliamentary Caucus and Committee of the Whole House are some of the solutions to address the challenge.
He recommended that enhanced communication, strengthened Rules of Procedure, promotion of Collaboration through Joint Committee and Clusters, Monitoring and Evaluating progress and Developing Broad- Scope Committees, the parliaments can better handle overlapping situations and work in cohesion.
He called for adopting a multi-disciplinary, collaborative approach and enhancing coordination mechanisms, to ensure that parliaments function more efficiently and effectively. “By working together, we can overcome these challenges and create a more robust, coordinated parliamentary system”, Hafeezullah Sheikh observed while concluding his remarks.
Ends-Exact Press International-