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Parliamentarian Information Need Assessment: A Pakistan Prospective

2007; RELX Group (Netherlands); Linguagem: Inglês

1556-5068

Arshad Mahmood,

Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan was formed in 14th August 1947 on World’s Map. The first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan was given silhouette with 79 members including female members in July 1947. When we study Pakistani Parliamentary History we found different successes and failures in Pakistan Parliamentary History. During the General Parvaiz Musharraf Regime the general election was held on 10th October 2002, due to this election the first Graduate Assembly was formed in Pakistan. Therefore, it was needed to know the Graduate Parliamentarians Information Need Assessment study for good governance; it is also observed that there is no previous study done on Information Need Assessment of Pakistani Parliamentarians. The research has been completed with the help of USAID project “the Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project (PLSP)”. Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the basic information Needs of Graduate Parliamentarians of Pakistan. Methodology: A questionnaire was developed for research purpose also interviews were conducted on this the basis of questionnaire. 60 interviews completed from different Parliamentarians of various national parties of Pakistan, i.e. Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP), Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PMLQ), Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA). Findings: During the research it is observed that there are different places where parliamentarians can get their information needs, these places are National Assembly Library, Senate Library, National Library of Pakistan and the Parliamentarian Resource Center. The various members of Parliaments information needs are Internet, electronic media, print media as well as different ministries offices and organizations. Most important issues in which, the Parliamentarians needs information for their jobs are Education, Economy, Health, Poverty, Energy, Science & Technology, Agriculture, Environment and Development. It is also observed that the Parliamentarians are not aware the sources of knowledge where they can get their required information/material. Research Limitations: The research was limited to the National Assembly and Senate Parliamentarians, not included the Provincials Parliamentarians. Research Implications: This research will provide guideline for various libraries which are providing services to Parliamentarians, i.e. National Assembly Library, Senate Library, National Library of Pakistan and Parliamentarian Resource Center. Through this research above listed libraries also get guidelines for future planning of their services.