11th National Parliamentary Development Course (NPDC) at Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).

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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.

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.

11th National Parliamentary Development Course (NPDC) at Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).

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