SEMINAR ON WORKING OF PARLIAMENT AND PIPS SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS FOR YOUTH DELEGATES OF BARGAD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) organized an orientation session on working of the Parliament and functions of PIPS for youth delegates of Bargad Organization on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. The session’s agenda revolved around imparting knowledge regarding the functions and working of the Parliament, and the brief overview of PIPS services and function. Around 30 youth delegates of nationwide colleges and universities and young professionals working with different organizations attended the seminar. This diverse youth group was gathered by Bargad Organization under one of its ongoing fellowship programs. The participating students were belonged to Islamia University Bahawalpur, Government College University Lahore, BUITEMS University Quetta, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Punjab University Lahore, University of Karachi and University of Balochistan Sub-Campus Pishin.

The session commenced with the national anthem of Pakistan followed by the recitation of Holy Quran. As moderator of the session, Mr. Muhammad Rizwan Manzoor welcomed the participants and conducted a round of introductions.

Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Anwar formally conducted a detailed session on working of the Parliament. He further explained the four key functions of the Parliament including representation of the people, legislation, oversight and accountability of the Executive and budget scrutiny, giving brief process of each role and the tools involved to perform them. He gave detailed orientation on the legislative process that how a bill is transmitted from one house to another then becomes the law after the ascent of the President.

Mr. Muhamamd Rashid Mafzool Zaka, the Director General (Research), PIPS gave comprehensive overview on the services PIPS is giving to the National Parliament Provincial Assemblies, in shape of active research inputs and policy dialogues for informed decision making. He also encompassed the parliamentary development programs for Members of Parliament and capacity building services for officers of parliamentary secretariats and government, offered by the Institute. Mr. Zaka also shed light on outreach services of PIPS where Institute invites delegates from universities and colleges to enlighten them about working of the Parliament, knowledge of Constitution and about key laws pertaining to common citizens.

At the end an absorbing Q&A session was conducted where the participants asked questions about Parliament and PIPS, which were answered by the worthy panelists. Ms. Saiqa Rani, the Program Director of Bargad gave a vote of thanks, where she thanked the panelists and PIPS team for organizing the event.

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 WORKING OF PARLIAMENT AND PIPS SERVICES AND FUNCTIONS FOR YOUTH DELEGATES OF BARGAD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024

@ Your Service