Seminar on Constitution, Parliament and State-Building with Students of University of Punjab Lahore.

February 28, 2017 OUTREACH, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services organized a seminar on Constitution, Parliament and State-Building with students of University of Punjab Lahore on February 28, 2017 at PIPS main Campus in Islamabad. The event was attended by a cohort of 30 students from the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, Punjab University Lahore. Beginning with the recitation of the Holy Quran and National Anthem the event marked another successful activity in the series of events envisaged by the PIPS Board of Governors to raise the awareness among the youth of the country regarding the role of Parliament and Constitution in state-building in Pakistan. Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Zafarullah Khan welcomed the participants and gave the introductory remarks. Director Research & IT, Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, gave detailed presentation on the subject of “Constitution, Parliament and State-Building.” The insightful discourse was followed by a highly interactive Q&A session whereby the participants were provided ample opportunity to raise the questions related to the central theme of the seminar. Dr. Sameen Masood, Assistant Professor Punjab University, presented vote of thanks and lauded the efforts of PIPS for organizing the inspirational session as flagbearer of vision of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Mr. Muhammad Rizwan Manzoor, Research Officer PIPS, presented mementos to the participating students at the end of the seminar.

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.

Seminar on Constitution, Parliament and State-Building with Students of University of Punjab Lahore.

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