Post-Election Seminar

May 11, 2015 MEMBERS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

Honorable Chairman Senate of Pakistan inaugurated the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) “Post-Election Seminar” at Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services Islamabad. The opening ceremony of the three day seminar organized by Senate in collaboration with CPA began with recitation from the Holy Quran followed by National Anthem and remarks from Honorable Request Muntanga, CPA Treasurer and Officer of the Association. The Honourable Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Mian Raza Rabbani inaugurated the seminar and identified the key basis of Pakistan’s federalism. In session one of the seminar, Honourable Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Mian Raza Rabbani and Senator Syed Muzafar Hussain Shah presented illuminating discourse on the “Evolution of Parliamentary Democracy and the Constitution of Pakistan,” highlighting the principles of the Westminster Model of Parliamentary Democracy, other democratic models of governance, and the legal basis of Parliament of Pakistan. During the second session, Honorable Request Muntanga deliberated upon “The Development of the Commonwealth and the role of CPA.” Session three centered on “Practice and Procedure in the House, ” wherein Dr. Godfrey Haantobolo, Deputy Clerk Zambian Parliament, deliberated on the practice and procedure of the Zambian Parliament. The seminar will continue till May 13, and it is being attended by Senators, officers from Senate Secretariat and PIPS faculty.

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.

Post-Election Seminar

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