Journalists and Parliamentary Reporters hold condolence reference for Seasoned Colleague Par Excellence Late Raja Asghar

February 24, 2016 OTHERS

A simple and graceful yet house full gathering of 100 participants at PIPS auditorium marked the condolence reference on the sad demise of leading parliamentary reporter and seasoned journalist Raja Asghar who gave meritorious services during his more than four decades of journalism in the Dawn, APP and parliamentary reporting. Mr Matiullah Jan, senior journalist, was the Moderator who give rich tribute to the departed soul. The Panel of speakers included Minister for Information Senator Pervez Rashid, Honourable Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani and presence of senior most journalists from print and electronic media and the family of Raja sahib marked the occasion. A portrait of Late Raja Asghar was presented by journalist community to senior parliamentary reporter at the Parliamentary Reporters Association Hafiz Tahir Khalil for the press gallery. Mr Matiullah Jan acknowledged the various journalists who joined individually and as organisations including Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services for their support to hold said reference.

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.

Journalists and Parliamentary Reporters hold condolence reference for Seasoned Colleague Par Excellence Late Raja Asghar

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