Outreach Seminar on Parliamentary Discourse as 70 Years of Independence, Celebration at Fatima Jinnah Women University.

August 8, 2017 OUTREACH, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

PIPS and the Fatima Jinnah Women University organised a seminar on parliamentary contribution in 70 years of Pakistan and country’s indigenous narrative for tolerance, peace and harmony. On the invitation of the Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director Research & IT PIPS, presented the Parliamentary narrative before the audience of more than 60 students as well as faculty and staff members during a seminar titled “70 Years of Independence” held at Fatima Jinnah Women University on August 08, 2017. As the nation commemorates seventy years of its independence, the seminar was aimed at reviving the spirit of Pakistan movement among the youth of Pakistan. The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by welcome remarks presented by Ms. Tasneem Ilyas, Manager Office of Research Innovation & Commercialization ORIC at FJWU.
During his talk Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka advised the youth to follow seven parameters including but not limited to the legacy of the heroes of Pakistan movement like Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, and holding firmly the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The speech was followed by a Q&A in which the students representing various departments of the University raised highly pertinent questions of national as well as parliamentary importance.
The Chief Guest of the event, Prof. Dr. Samina Amin Qadir, Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah Women University, thanked Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka for his mesmerizing talk capturing the essence of Pakistan’s indigenous narrative. She highlighted the sacrifices of the Muslims of the Subcontinent which culminated into the birth of Pakistan as independent country, and referred to the achievements attained so far despite various setbacks. She emphasized the importance of strengthening the state institutions in order to move in the right direction. Prof. Samina Amin Qadir presented souvenir to PIPS team comprising Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Dir Research and IT and Ms Fakiha Mehmood, Research Officer, PIPS. The Seminar ended with the vote of thanks by Ms. Tasneem Ilyas.

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.

Outreach Seminar on Parliamentary Discourse as 70 Years of Independence, Celebration at Fatima Jinnah Women University.

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