PILDAT, in collaboration with Institute for Democracy in Africa (IDASA), organised a Study visit of Parliamentarians and former senior Military personnel to Republic of South Africa from May 21 - 26, 2011. The purpose of the visit was to study and understand the challenges faced by South Africa in its democratisation and the civil-military Relations in South Africa.

The Pakistan Delegation included Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, MNA, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly of Pakistan (NA-24, D.I.Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PPPP), Mir Amer Ali Khan Magsi, MNA, Member National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence (NA-206 Larkana III, Sindh, PPPP), Mr. Muhammad Baligh ur Rehman, MNA (NA-185, Bahawalpur-III, Punjab, PML-N), Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Moinuddin Haider, Former Governor Sindh; former Interior Minister, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, Executive Director, PILDAT and Ms. Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director-PILDAT.

Apart from various interactions at IDASA relating to the political history, Parliamentary system and Parliamentary reform efforts and initiatives relating to Parliamentary oversight of defence and national security and the challenges of civil-military relations, the delegation also met with the members of Parliament and Parliament staff to understand the South African Parliament and its working. The Pakistani delegation also held meetings with the Members, Researcher and Secretary of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and discussed the Parliamentary oversight of Defence in South Africa. They also met with Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) and Manager of PIMS Budget Unit and discussed structure & functioning of local government system of South Africa and its demarcation vis-�-vis National and Provincial structures of governance.

In Johannesburg, the Pakistan Delegation visited the offices of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and discussed in detail the background & formation of TRC South Africa and its role mandate and work. The delegates discussed in detail the major milestones covered by the TRC during its tenure and how it went about doing that. The delegation was also briefed about how the South African Department of Justice and Constitutional Development carries out the work of TRC.