Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka

Director General Research

Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka is the pioneering team member that established the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS). He commenced Institute’s Research & Training services in 2009-10. With his over three decades experience in academia, research and parliamentary services, he steered PIPS to furnish over 2067 researches & 75 books for Members of Parliament & 28,000 plus readers, while three of these books are taught in 17 universities as part of National Parliament’s Parliamentary Studies Program. Mr. Zaka has individually conducted more than 300 research papers, 150 training sessions and published 12 books.

In Nov., 2022, he led PIPS to be recognized by UK Parliament in Tier 01 in Global Mapping of parliamentary mechanism providing academic research out of 173 similar institutions in IPU countries. In his leadership, PIPS completed archiving of Pakistan Code (1947 to 2025) as well as a landmark book on Provincial Laws (1812-2020); He started PIPS Economy and Budget Desk in 2012-13 and Research Digest in Jan., 2014, as Editor, i.e. most read parliamentary publication of Pakistan. Mr Zaka also contributed to orient 15,000 youth on Constitution, Parliament & State-building.

Being an academic since 1996, Mr. Zaka is Member, Board of Studies Fatimah Jinnah Women University, since 2006, BoD of CPDI since 2000 and Int’ll Parliamentary Engagement Network since 2022. He also served as Head, Deptt. of Social Sciences, Iqra University and Advisor in USAID-Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project. He served as Acting Executive Director PIPS (1st July-30th Sept, 2014; 3rd Sept, 2015-19th May, 2016; 01st May 2019- 31st Dec., 2019; & 10th June-26th Dec., 2025. Mr Zaka holds M. Phil. degree in International Relations (1997-98) & M.Sc (Strategic Studies) with distinction (1993-94) from Quaid e Azam University. He accomplished Professional Legislative Fellowship of US State Dept (2015), Int’ll Course on Legislative Research by US Congressional Research Service (2008) & Int’ll Fellowship on Human Rights & Budget Analysis (2008).

Email: muhammad.zaka@pips.gov.pk

Tel: +92-51-9091309

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.

Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka

Director General Research

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