KARACHI:
A series of important sessions focusing on “Parliamentary Systems, Democratic Values and Contemporary Global Challenges” were held on Thursday during the Seventh APC Asia Regional Conference and Second APC Asia-Southeast Asia Joint Regional Conference 2026, organized by the Sindh Assembly.
On the second day of the conference, held at a local hotel, participants participated in breakout sessions, plenary sessions and high-level keynotes.
Session topics included parliamentary education and practicing democratic values in daily life; The role of parliaments in building peaceful and cohesive societies amid fake news, artificial intelligence and misinformation; Legislation for survival: climate change and vulnerable communities; Strengthen Parliament through accountability for responsible governance; and a plenary session 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 Lanka Vice President Dr Rizvi Saleh, National MPs 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 artificial intelligence, moderated by MNA Dr Sharmila Farooqui, featured Maldivian Vice President Ahmed Nazim, Sindh Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, MPAs Farah Azim Shah and Sarah Ahmed, MNA’s lawyer Daniyal and KP Assembly member Asif Khan. Speakers highlighted the growing impact of AI and deepfakes on elections and public opinion, highlighting the need for legislation, transparency, media accountability 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 accountable governance.
