KARACHI:
A series of important sessions focusing on “Parliamentary Systems, Democratic Values and Contemporary Global Challenges” were held on Thursday during the Seventh CPA Asia Regional Conference and the Second Joint CPA Asia and Southeast Asia Regional Conference 2026, hosted by the Sindh Assembly.
On the second day of the conference, held at a local hotel, participants took part in parallel breakout sessions, plenary sessions and high-level addresses.
Session themes included Parliamentary Education and the Practice of Democratic Values in Daily Life; The Role of Parliaments in Building Peaceful and Cohesive Societies amid Fake News, Artificial Intelligence and Disinformation; Legislation for Survival: Climate Change and Vulnerable Communities; Strengthening Parliament through Accountability for Responsible Governance; and a plenary on Gender, Technology and Trust: Protecting Women Leaders from Online Violence and Digital Harassment.
The session on parliamentary education was moderated by Sindh Assembly member Taha Ahmed Khan, with Sri Lankan Deputy Speaker Dr Rizvi Saleh, MNAs Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Khawaja Izharul Hasan and Shamoon Ashraf Hashmi, and Punjab Assembly member Zulfiqar Ali Shah as panellists.
The session on fake news and AI, moderated by MNA Dr Sharmila Farooqui, featured Maldives Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, MPAs Farah Azim Shah and Sarah Ahmed, MNA Barrister Daniyal and KP Assembly member Asif Khan. Speakers highlighted the growing impact of AI and deepfakes on elections and public opinion, stressing the need for legislation, transparency, media responsibility and public awareness rather than fear or censorship. In another parallel session on parliamentary accountability, chaired by MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, speakers underlined the role of parliament, public accounts committees and audit mechanisms in ensuring transparent and responsible governance.
