The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) successfully conducted a three-day Orientation Programme for the Newly Elected Honourable Members of the Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu & Kashmir

October 23, 2026 MEMBERS, ORIENTATIONS

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) successfully conducted a three-day Orientation Programme for the Newly Elected Honourable Members of the Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu & Kashmir on Thursday, from 20-22 October 2026. The programme aimed to strengthen Members’ understanding of the AJK Interim Constitution, 1974, parliamentary procedures, legislative processes, parliamentary oversight, democratic governance, and public financial management.
The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by an overview of the programme. The first day focused on the AJK Interim Constitution, 1974, the Rules of Procedure of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, and legislative business, including the process through which a Bill becomes an Act and the distinction between Government and Private Members’ Bills. These sessions were facilitated by Sheikh Sarfraz Ahmed, Senior Legislative Consultant.
The second day covered non-legislative parliamentary business, with Mr. Muhammad Anwar, Parliamentary Expert, providing insights into its significance and role in parliamentary functioning.
Last session of the second day was conducted by Mr. Haider Abbas, Director General Finance, NAVTTC, who discussed the budget-making process and the role of parliamentarians in understanding and reading budget documents, emphasising the importance of informed financial scrutiny and effective oversight of public resources.
The final day featured an experience-sharing session by Honourable Senator Farhatullah Babar on “Beyond Legislation: The Role of Parliamentarians in Strengthening Democratic Governance.” The programme further explored the functions, powers, and effective oversight of parliamentary committees, with Mr. Iftikharullah Babar, Parliamentary Expert, highlighting their importance in parliamentary accountability and institutional oversight. The concluding session, conducted by Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Special Secretary, National Assembly Secretariat, explored emerging parliamentary forums and their role in strengthening parliamentary engagement, with a special focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and translating development commitments into parliamentary action.

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.

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) successfully conducted a three-day Orientation Programme for the Newly Elected Honourable Members of the Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu & Kashmir

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