Consultation on National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

December 19, 2017 MEMBERS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, in collaboration with Oxfam, conducted a two-day Consultation on National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights at PIPS, Islamabad. The two-day consultation aimed to generate key ideas concerning the legal and policy dimensions of home as well as host state duties and their implications for the guiding principles of business and human rights. Participants belonging to the Civil Society, National and Provincial Assemblies, Human Rights Department of Federal and Provincial Governments, Media Personnel and Human Rights Experts engaged in an insightful and in-depth knowledge sharing discussion during the two days.

Federal Minister for Human Rights, Mumtaz Ahmad Tarar, was the Chief Guest of the inaugural session. He assured his undeterred support for matters pertaining to legislation in this regard. Provincial Secretaries of Human Rights of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan shared the progress and steps taken in respective provinces ensuring and protecting Human Rights in the context of Business. Member National Assembly Mr. Shehryar Afridi and Mr. Sajid Nawaz also addressed the participants of the Consultation. Mr. I.A. Rehman, Human Rights Expert, remained the highlight of the event as he reflected upon the guiding principles of NAP on Business and Human Rights and the way forward.

The second day of the consultation comprised two plenary sessions: ‘Role of Parliament in Protection of Human Rights’ and ‘70 years of UDHR, time to reimagine new frontiers of human rights’. Highlights from day one were thoroughly shared by Director Research & IT PIPS Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka who also moderated the sessions in these two days. The first session of the day was chaired by Secretary National Commission for Human Rights, Mr. Mashood Ahmad Mirza, with key note speakers Program Director Oxfam Mr. Adeel Qaiser and DG Ministry of Human Rights Mr. Kamran Khan Ranjar. Mr. Kamran Khan Ranjar emphasized on the importance of role and duties upon civil society and their impact in long run. The second session was chaired by Chairperson/Member of Provincial Assembly Sindh, Mr. Sachal Shah and Member Provincial Assembly Punjab Mr. Ramish Singh Arora.

During the concluding session, way forward and recommendations were drawn which resulted after the two day insightful discussions among various stakeholders. Reflecting on the discussion taken place during the two day consultation, Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Zafarullah Khan emphasized on the importance of such consultations in bridging the gaps and effective implementation of laws regarding human rights in Pakistan.

Chairperson of Standing Committee of National Assembly on Human Rights, Mr. Babar Nawaz Khan also participated in the concluding ceremony ensuring support from legislators regarding the NAP on Business and Human Rights in Pakistan.

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.

Consultation on National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.

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