An Interface Session between Women Parliamentary Caucus of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab and the Civil Society Organizations

November 19, 2025 EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, MEMBERS, MEMBERS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), in Collaboration with Mustehkam Parlimaan (MuP), and -European Union Funded Project-, conducted an interface session aimed at advancing the women’s rights agenda in Punjab. The Session was held between the Women Parliamentary Caucus of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab and civil Society Organizations on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, at Avari Hotel, Lahore. The event served as a bridge between legislators and civil society stakeholders, fostering dialogue, partnership, and shared understanding on priority issues affecting women.

The session began with recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Mr. Taj Muhammad, Director (PDP), PIPS moderated the event. Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Mary Cummins, Team Lead, MuP, who presented an overview of the session’s objectives and the importance of joint advocacy. She was followed by Ms. Brekhna Ajmal, Program Manager for Parliaments & Gender Equality at the EU Delegation, who highlighted the EU’s long-standing support for gender equality initiatives in Pakistan.

Honorable Ms. Begum Ishrat Ashraf, Convener of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, emphasized the vital role of collaboration between lawmakers and civil society organizations in improving women’s socio-economic and legal standing.

Representatives from civil society organizations introduced their ongoing work, outlining priority areas such as women’s safety, political participation, legal awareness, and access to services.

A detailed presentation of the Women Parliamentary Caucus Action Plan was given by Ms. Asfa Khan, Director, Parliamentary Development Unit (PDU) Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. She explained the plan’s core pillars, including legislative reforms, gender-responsive governance, capacity building, and enhanced oversight of women-related policies.

A moderated discussion, led by Mr. Ali Imran, Key Expert Legislative & Parliamentary Affairs, MuP, invited participants to identify concrete areas of collaboration and potential mechanisms for sustained cooperation. Themes such as advocacy campaigns, policy coordination, harmonization of efforts, and community outreach were explored.

The session concluded with renewed resolve from all partners to work collectively toward a more inclusive, equitable, and gender-responsive Punjab, reinforcing the importance of sustained cooperation between the legislature and civil society organizations.

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.

An Interface Session between Women Parliamentary Caucus of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab and the Civil Society Organizations

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