5th National Parliamentary Development Course.

November 5, 2018 COURSES

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services commenced its 5th National Parliamentary Development Course (NPDC) on 5th November 2018 for the parliamentary functionaries in grade 17 and 18, employed at the National Assembly and the Senate Secretariat as well as Provincial and Legislative Assemblies’ Secretariat.

The programme commenced with the recitation of Holy Quran. Worthy Executive Director PIPS Mr. Zafarullah Khan welcomed the Chief Guest, Honourable Deputy Speaker & Vice President of PIPS BOG, Mr. Muhammad Qasim Khan Suri and the course participants to the inauguration ceremony of the course. He congratulated the officers for being nominated as course participants and emphasized the importance of acquiring parliamentary knowledge. Mr. Khan enlightened the audience about the design, module and assessment methodology. He shared with the audience that this based long course had successfully trained 88 officers and this year the number will cross 100 with the graduation of 5th batch of NPDC course. Lastly, he said that repetitive blindness could make one lethargic for which such courses were designed to facilitate in the expansion of human, technical and professional competencies. The Honourable Chief Guest, Mr. Muhammad Qasim Khan Suri formally inaugurated the programme by acknowledging the tireless efforts put in by the Executive Director PIPS and his team to build the capacity of parliamentary officers at par with international standards. He welcomed the course participants and emphasized the importance of building knowledge of parliamentary business as it could play a vital role in effective governance and upholding rule of law. He believed that officers had the fundamental responsibility of assisting the parliamentarians for which extensive knowledge of the parliamentary process was essential and highlighted few comparable practices of Parliamentary development being offered around the world particularly in Australia, Canada and UK. He expressed his confidence that at the end of the course, participants would be equipped with enhanced knowledge and competence which would not only increase their capacity for analysis and decision making but also make their institutions proud of them. Lastly, He expressed his hope that the present government would be helpful in the dispensation of justice for all and eradicate corruption from the society.

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.

5th National Parliamentary Development Course.

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