8TH NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY DEVELOPMENT COURSE

November 1, 2021 CIVIL SERVANTS, CIVIL SERVANTS, COURSES, FUNCTIONARIES, LEGAL SOCIALIZATION, OTHERS

The Inaugural ceremony of Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) flagship Programme “8^th National Parliamentary Development Course” (NPDC) for the Parliamentary functionaries (Grade 17 and 18) of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the Senate, and the Provincial and Legislative Assemblies of Pakistan was held on November 1^st, 2021 at PIPS Campus Islamabad. Twenty three (23) officers serving in their respective Secretariats joined the programme as course participants. Honourable Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Deputy Chairman, Senate of Pakistan, and Vice President, Board of Governors, PIPS graced the ceremony as Chief Guest for the event.

The Programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Qari Anis Ur Rehman. Director General, Parliamentary Development Programme & Coordination (PDP&C), Ms. Samer Awais, welcomed the participants and presented a brief outline over the course design and modules to be taught in the next seven weeks. She highlighted salient features of the in depth training, to enable participating officials in active learning and enrichment of Parliamentary knowledge for effectively performing their duties.

Ms. Samer, DG (PDP&C), presentation was followed by a formal address by Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Anwar, who greeted the course participants and highlighted the importance and benefits of this Programme for the participating Parliamentary functionaries. He emphasized on the significant role and duties of officers, in smooth running of the House business, and facilitating Members of their respective Houses. He hoped that this course learning will benefit participants in enhancing their skill set and awareness to work with recent and most effective oversight tools and techniques used in the Parliamentary process.

Chief Guest for the opening ceremony, Honourable Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi formally inaugurated the event. He acknowledged PIPS for organizing the 8^th NPDC and commended services of the Institute in providing customized capacity building trainings for Parliamentary functionaries and Members of Federal and Provincial Assemblies. He stressed on the importance of comprehensive learning and understanding of Parliamentary procedures, an essential part of the job of a Parliamentary officer. Honorable Senator advised the officers to take maximum advantage of this opportunity in the greater interest of improving working of the Parliamentary practice. The ceremony concluded with a group photograph of the Course participants with the Honorable Senator.

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.

8TH NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY DEVELOPMENT COURSE

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