Seminar on Constitution and Parliamentary Process- Visit of Students/Faculty of the International Relations Department, Muslim Youth University

July 3, 2024 SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

Islamabad, July 03, 2024, Wednesday: Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) organized a Youth Outreach Seminar on Constitution and Parliamentary Processes. The seminar was attended by around 60 participants, including faculty and students from Muslim Youth University as well as internees from GCU Faisalabad and Kinnaird College Lahore. The main speakers in the event were Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka (ED PIPS), Hon. MNA Ms. Nafeesa Shah, Mr. Hanif Khan Nasar (DD, R) and Mr. Rizwan Manzoor (AD, R). Ms. Ayesha Tariq Khan (AD, R) took the minutes of the seminar.

Mr. Hanif Khan Nasar moderated the event. The event started with the National anthem followed by the recitation of the Holy Quran. Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Executive Director PIPS, welcomed the participants of the event. He explained the Constitution, Parliament and Working of Committees. He also discussed the idea of democracy by exemplifying Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as the speaker of National Assembly in 1947. He told the participants the democracy simply means that we agree to disagree and if the conflict of interest arises, then take two steps back and become neutral. He explained the constitution in detail, and with context of Pakistan Constitution, he asked the participants to read the Preamble of the constitution of Pakistan as it has the essence of whole constitution i.e. Welfare State, Federal State, Independence of Judiciary, Democracy and Islamic State. He explained the role of Senate as it is based on equality from all the provinces of Pakistan. He then brifly explained the Law making process, question hour, calling attention notice, standing committee, zero hour and adjournment motion to the participants. He ended his presentation with a quote of Quaid-i-Azam.

Hon. MNA Nafeesa Shah joined the event virtually. She explained Law Making and Oversight by the Parliament. She briefly explained the role of parliament which is representation, oversight, budget making, and legislation. She then explained the processes of these roles of parliament. Then there was a short Question and Answer session.

Mr. Hanif Khan Nasar gave a presentation of Legislation Process of the Parliament of Pakistan. He explained the types of bills, and then further classification of bills. Then he explained the legislative process from bill to an act step by step.

Mr. Rizwan Manzoor gave a presentation of Budget making process in the Parliament of Pakistan. His presentation was brief yet very informative. He briefly discussed the budget, government budget, major government revenues, major government expenditures, types of expenditures and charged expenditures. He explained the budget cycle which goes from policy setting, budget preparation, authorization, execution, reporting and monitoring and periodical review.

There was a quick question and answer session at the end. The head of the delegation thanked PIPS team and appreciated the efforts of the PIPS. The event ended with a group photo.

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 and Parliamentary Process- Visit of Students/Faculty of the International Relations Department, Muslim Youth University

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