National Workshop on Federalism and Social Development for the Honorable Members of the National Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan.

November 26, 2018 MEMBERS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary services in collaboration with Konard Adenauer Stiftung, organized a 3-day workshop on “Federalism and Social Development” for Honourable Members of National and Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan, from 26^th November, 2018. The workshop commenced with the recitation of Holy Quran. Ms. Samer Awais, DG (PDP & IT), PIPS, greeted the participants and conducted a brief round of introductions. It was followed by welcome speech by worthy Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Zafarullah Khan, who apprised the members about the functioning of PIPS and also shared the workshop agenda with them.

Prof. Dr Jaffar Ahmed, in the first session spoke about the essence of federalism in Pakistan and discussed at length the historical perspective of federalism. The session ended with an interactive dialogue amongst the participants. The dialogue was preceded by a keynote speech by Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Advisor on Institutional Reforms and Austerity to the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He discussed the civil services reforms after the 18^th amendment. Post lunch session was facilitated by Honourable Senator Nauman Wazir, who shed light upon the performance of the committee on “24 demands of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” in the perspective of Federal and Provincial Communication.

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.

National Workshop on Federalism and Social Development for the Honorable Members of the National Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies of Pakistan.

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