{
  "id": 8157576,
  "title": "Accountable institutions essential for democratic resilience: NA speaker",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/accountable-institutions-essential-for-democratic-resilience-na",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T02:46:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2030741/accountable-institutions-essential-for-democratic-resilience-na-speaker"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq received the Green Mace Award at the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. In his address, he emphasized that Commonwealth parliaments must play a vital role in strengthening democracy and upholding international law. Sadiq stressed that democratic institutions should remain transparent, accountable, inclusive, and effective despite political divisions, economic challenges, and technological advancements. He also highlighted the importance of the United Nations Charter, respect for state sovereignty, peaceful dispute resolution, and civilian protection. The speaker paid tribute to South Africa's democratic milestones, including the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, the 30th anniversary of its Constitution adoption in 1996, and the International Day of Democracy on September 15. Sadiq highlighted that democracy is built through sacrifice, strengthened by constitutional institutions, and sustained by citizens' participation, particularly young people. Under the Commonwealth's new strategic direction, parliamentary leadership must become more proactive in promoting democracy, advancing sustainable development, empowering youth, utilizing technology, and fostering peace. He praised Pakistan's National Assembly for its pioneering environmental initiatives, such as being the world's first 100% solar-powered parliament and transitioning to a paperless parliamentary system, for which it received the inaugural Green Mace Award.",
  "summary": "National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq receives the Green Mace Award at the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.—NA Secretariat ISLAMABAD: Commonwealth parliaments need to play an effective and proactive role in strengthening democracy and upholding international law, stressing that democratic institutions must remain transparent, accountable, inclusive and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}