The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) successfully organized the third training programme of its thematic series, titled “An Orientation on Parliamentary Procedures: The Powers and Functions of Committees and Responding to Parliamentary Questions,” on 17–18 June 2026 at PIPS, Islamabad. The two-day orientation was attended by officers (BPS 17–19) from various Federal Ministries and Divisions with the objective of strengthening their understanding of parliamentary procedures and enhancing their capacity to engage effectively with Parliament.
The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the Welcome Remarks delivered by Mr. Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director, PIPS. Welcoming the participants, he expressed pleasure in hosting officers from key Federal Ministries and emphasized that effective governance depends not only on sound public policies but also on a constructive and informed relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He further highlighted that Committees and the Parliamentary Question are instruments for ensuring accountability, transparency, and institutional responsiveness in a parliamentary democracy. The Executive Director encouraged participants to actively engage in the discussions and benefit from the practical knowledge and experience of the distinguished facilitators throughout the programme.
The inaugural session was followed by two comprehensive sessions on “An Introduction to the Rules of Procedure,” conducted by Mr. Muhammad Anwar, Former Secretary, the Senate Secretariat. During these sessions, the facilitator explained the evolution, purpose, and practical application of parliamentary rules of procedures. He shed light on the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, the Senate of Pakistan, and the Rules relating to joint sittings of Parliament, enabling participants to develop a comprehensive understanding of legislative business and parliamentary practices.
On the second day, Ms. Naveen Erum, Additional Draftsman, National Assembly Secretariat, delivered an informative presentation on the Powers and Functions of Committees, highlighting their constitutional mandate, oversight functions, and contribution to effective governance. This was followed by a session by Mr. Talha Haroon, Deputy Director, National Assembly Secretariat, on Responding to Parliamentary Questions: Do’s and Don’ts, where participants learned the procedure for preparing accurate, timely, and effective replies to parliamentary questions.
The final technical session was conducted by Mr. Haris Rehman, Joint Secretary, Senate Secretariat, on Preparing for Appearance before Parliamentary Committees. He shared practical guidelines on preparing briefs, coordinating among stakeholders, and effectively presenting government position before parliamentary committees. The interactive discussion throughout the programme enabled participants to exchange views with the facilitators and clarify practical issues relating to parliamentary procedures.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by the Director General (Capacity Building & Development). She extended her sincere appreciation to the distinguished facilitators for sharing their extensive knowledge, practical experience, and valuable insights. She remarked that their informative and interactive presentations enriched the learning experience and provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of parliamentary procedures and legislative practices. The Director General also expressed her heartfelt thanks to all the participants for their enthusiastic participation, thoughtful questions, and active engagement throughout the two-day orientation programme.