Constitution Day Series, Seminar on Constitution, Parliament and State-Building.

April 29, 2019 FUNCTIONARIES, MEMBERS, OUTREACH, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

As a social contract between the citizens and the state, the Constitution plays fundamental role of state-building in any country. As part of the endeavors to commemorate the signing of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services organized Seminar on Constitution, Parliament and State-building on April 29, 2019 at its main Campus in Islamabad.
The event was attended by 70 participants including faculty and students from Department of Political Science and International Relations, Government College University Faisalabad, and Young Parliamentary Officers as part of their orientation program at PIPS. The event began with the National Anthem followed by recitation of verses from Holy Quran. Ms. Fakiha Mahmood, Research Officer PIPS, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of the month of April in relation to the signing of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973.
Mr. Zafarullah Khan, Executive Director PIPS, delved upon the working of Parliament and the role this key institution plays in the life of a nation. During his talk he mentioned various metaphors in order to highlight the significance of Parliament. He further elaborated the role of Constitution in state-building. Mr. Khan commended the efforts of the Government College University Faisalabad, which has started a four years undergraduate program in Political Science and Parliamentary Studies.
Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research & Legislation) spoke at length about the role of constitution and parliament in the process of state-building during an interactive session. He underscored the fundamental principles of the Constitution of Pakistan which include Islamic, federal, welfare state, and parliamentary democracy. He emphasized the importance of tolerance and dialogue for peace and harmony. A highly interactive Q&A session followed the individual presentations. The students asked highly pertinent questions during the session, which were duly responded by the panelists.
Dr. Ghulam Mustafa, In-charge Deparment of Political Sceince and International Relations, thanked PIPS for organizing the event thereby providing the delegates with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and experience about the parliament of Pakistan. The seminar ended with vote of thanks and group photo.

On the direction of the Chairman Senate/President PIPS Board of Governors, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilization of public resources, on the same lines as notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Under the new measures, the Institute has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50% of staff will perform duties from the office and 50% will work remotely on a rotational basis. Employees working from home will remain fully accessible through digital communication platforms and may be required to report to the office on short notice, ensuring uninterrupted institutional functioning.

Significant steps have also been taken to promote energy conservation. These include a target of achieving up to 70% reduction in energy consumption through minimizing unnecessary use of electricity and ensuring that official meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled during daylight hours. Foreign tours are banned and international meetings are being held virtually.

In the transport section, PIPS has introduced strict measures to curtail expenditure and 70% official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20% reduction has been imposed on the non-ERE budget for the fourth quarter of the current financial year. The officers drawing a monthly salary of PKR 300,000 or more, shall surrendered two days salary or 5% to 30% salary on gross as per Federal Government decision.

The Institute has also discontinued all non-essential procurements with immediate effect. Official functions such as dinners and receptions will not be hosted, except in the case of visiting foreign delegations, and even then, strictly in accordance with austerity protocols.

These measures have been implemented with immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders.

Under the guidance of President PIPS Board of Governors, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PIPS remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.

Constitution Day Series, Seminar on Constitution, Parliament and State-Building.

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