The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), under its mandate to promote parliamentary excellence, successfully inaugurated the 11th National Parliamentary Development Course (NPDC) on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at its campus in Islamabad.
The NPDC is a flagship capacity-building initiative of PIPS aimed at enhancing the professional competence, institutional understanding, and leadership skills of parliamentary officers from the National Parliament, Provincial and Legislative Assemblies of Pakistan. The six-week programme brings together participants for interactive learning focused on legislative development, research, communication, and parliamentary procedure.
The inaugural session began with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by programme overview by Syed Zain Gillani, Director General (Parliamentary Development Programme & Coordination). He welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives and design of the six-week course. He noted that the NPDC serves not only as a professional training but also as a journey of learning, reflection, and institutional growth, emphasizing four thematic areas i.e. Understanding Parliamentary Functions, Enhancing Institutional Efficiency, Leadership and Personal Development, and Orientation to Emerging Tools and Innovation.
He shared that since 2014, over 230 officers from parliamentary secretariats across the federation have successfully completed the NPDC, creating a vibrant network of trained professionals. He encouraged participants to engage actively, challenge ideas, and contribute to the shared identity of Pakistan’s parliamentary community.
This was followed by welcome remarks by Mr. Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director, PIPS. He welcomed the participants from the Senate, National Assembly, Provincial and Legislative Assemblies, resource persons, and PIPS faculty. In his remarks, the Executive Director highlighted that the NPDC stands as PIPS’ flagship capacity-building initiative, reflecting the Institute’s longstanding commitment to nurturing professional excellence among parliamentary officers. He noted that strong parliaments require not only visionary elected representatives but also competent and informed officers who ensure effective legislative performance and institutional continuity.
He described the NPDC as a truly national platform for learning and collaboration, bringing together officers from across Pakistan’s legislatures to share experiences, strengthen networks, and build a collective identity of parliamentary service. The course, he emphasized, offers a comprehensive curriculum encompassing constitutional development, legislative drafting, comparative political systems, and emerging themes such as artificial intelligence, digital governance, and ethical leadership.
Mr. Asim Khan Goraya commended the Parliamentary Development Programme (PDP) Wing of PIPS for its dedication in designing a dynamic and applied agenda, coordinating with assemblies, and ensuring an enriching mix of classroom sessions, practicums, and institutional exposure visits.
He urged participants to make the most of this learning opportunity by engaging actively, fostering collaboration, and applying creativity and critical thinking throughout the course. Concluding his remarks, the Executive Director extended heartfelt gratitude to Honourable Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate of Pakistan / President, PIPS Board of Governors for his continued guidance and support to PIPS in advancing parliamentary professionalism.
Following the inaugural session, participants took part in an interactive icebreaking activity led by the PDP Wing, fostering team spirit and collaboration among officers. This was followed by a briefing on programme instructions and protocols, and a hands-on session on the PIPS Learning Portal conducted by the IT Wing, acquainting participants with the digital tools and resources available for the course.
The day concluded with an engaging and reflective session on “Learning to Learn: Creative Thinking Methods” delivered by Dr. Hamid Rafique Khan Khattak, expert in life skills, emotional well-being, and personal effectiveness. The session encouraged participants to embrace creativity, adaptability, and lifelong learning as essential traits for effective parliamentary service.
The course will continue till December 23rd, 2025, featuring an extensive range of modules on legislative research, parliamentary procedures, communication, innovation, and leadership. The course stands as a testament to PIPS’ enduring commitment to empowering parliamentary professionals and promoting excellence across legislatures in Pakistan.