MoU between Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) and American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS)

July 9, 2025 MOU

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) and the American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 9, 2025, to foster academic collaboration and knowledge exchange. This partnership is designed to promote joint research projects, organize seminars on topics of mutual interest, and facilitate the exchange of scholars between the two institutions.

Mr. Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director PIPS, remarked that this partnership reflects PIPS commitment to fostering academic linkages that support parliamentary development in Pakistan. He highlighted that joint research projects, seminars, and scholarly exchanges with AIPS will contribute to strengthening institutional capacity of PIPS. He further stated that such collaborations are essential to equip parliamentarians and parliamentary researchers with global perspectives.

Dr. Aalia Sohail Khan, Country Director of AIPS, stated that the MoU will help bring AIPS affiliated faculty from 41 United States universities on its panel to PIPS for lectures and academic exchanges. She added that AIPS will assist PIPS in building partnerships with member universities and scholars, enabling collaborative research, scholarly exchanges, both in-person and virtual seminars on topics of mutual interest.

Mr. Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director PIPS, remarked that the partnership aligns with PIPS vision to promote academic collaboration, joint research, and scholarly exchange to strengthen parliamentary studies and institutional development. He noted that PIPS will provide logistical support for AIPS scholars and jointly host academic talks and seminars at its campus. For the expected visit of the AIPS president in December 2025, PIPS promised to arrange the audience for his keynote at the PIPS Campus, Islamabad.

The signing of this MoU marks a historic step towards deepening institutional cooperation and promoting scholarly dialogue. Both PIPS and AIPS reiterated their commitment to continue working together on initiatives that contribute to promote higher education, and the advancement of research in Pakistan by facilitating international academic collaboration and knowledge exchange.

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.

MoU between Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) and American Institute of Pakistan Studies (AIPS)

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