Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday asserted that democratic trust is founded upon transparency, inclusion, and justice, rather than speeches, as he called for modern legislative action against the challenges of misinformation and digital harms.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the 7th CPA Asia and 2nd Joint CPA Asia-Southeast Asia Regional Conference 2026, held at the Sindh Provincial Assembly, the chief minister described parliaments as the most direct link between citizens and the state.
He stressed that consistent performance, transparency, and accountability are fundamental to strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.
The Chief Minister, speaking on the conference theme ‘Parliaments of the Future: Redefining Democracy through Trust, Inclusion, Innovation and Peace,’ stated that trust is earned when institutions deliver services fairly, ensure justice without delay, and provide equal opportunities for all.
He highlighted the critical importance of genuine inclusion, noting that for democracy to flourish, women, youth, minorities, and persons with disabilities must be meaningfully represented and empowered within the political process.
Innovation in governance, Mr Shah explained, extends beyond technology to encompass improved procedures, effective public consultation, stronger oversight mechanisms, and transparent data sharing.
Discussing regional stability, he remarked that peace is achieved not merely by the absence of conflict but through the active pursuit of justice, tolerance, and hope, especially in a region confronting economic pressures, climate risks, and social tensions.
The Chief Minister urged visiting delegations to treat the Karachi Charter, adopted during the conference, as a “living commitment” to be translated into tangible parliamentary reforms and practices in their home countries.
Mr Shah reaffirmed the Sindh Government”s dedication to parliamentary democracy and praised the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) leadership, including Secretary-General Stephen Twigg, for fostering collaboration among legislatures.
He also congratulated Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Syed Awais Qadir Shah, on successfully hosting the international event and noted that the presence of both treasury and opposition leadership demonstrated the maturity of the province’s democratic institutions.