PIPS celebrates National Constitution Day with 247 faculty and students of Virtual University Islamabad, March 31, 2021

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services organized THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION WEEK (March 31^st – April 10^th, 2021) with two interactive virtual webinars attended by around 289 faculty members and students from all over Pakistan to commemorate its tradition since 2014 to celebrate the “National Constitution Day” on April 10, every year. The objective of the two seminars was to develop awareness of the Constitution, its importance and functioning of Parliament among academicians, civil society and the university youth. The first session was held on Wednesday, March 31^st, 2021 with a Nationwide webinar on “Constitution, Parliament and State Building” attended by 247 students enrolled in Masters of Political Science at Virtual University of Pakistan, from all parts of Pakistan online through Zoom: The event began at 11 am with the recording of the recitation from Holy Quran. Mr. Faisal Zia from VU moderated the session. Prof. Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti, Rector Virtual University, presented welcome remarks and expressed his view that “The Constitution is imperative because it protects the rights of the citizens of a concerned nation, irrespective of their religion, caste, creed, sex or physical appearance.” He acknowledged that the PIPS initiative to help youth of Pakistan across all provinces to understand the vision of founding fathers of Pakistan viz a viz parliamentary democracy, surely brings unity, strength and the optimism to progress together. PIPS Director (Research), Ms. Tehseen Khalid gave brief introduction of PIPS, its working and milestones achieved by the premier parliamentary institute. Director General (Research) Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, gave a one and a half hour detailed interactive presentation followed by Q & A session, on Constitution, Parliament and State-building. He elaborated the basic functions of the Parliament including representation, legislation and oversight.

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.

PIPS celebrates National Constitution Day with 247 faculty and students of Virtual University Islamabad, March 31, 2021

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