Commencement of 7th National Parliamentary Development Course November 03 – December 18, 2020 – Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services

Commencement of 7th National Parliamentary Development Course November 03 – December 18, 2020

November 3, 2020 COURSES

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) commenced 7th National Parliamentary Development Course (NPDC) for the parliamentary functionaries in grade 17 and 18 at the PIPS Campus Islamabad on November 3, 2020. Twenty three (23) Officers serving in the Secretariats of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the Senate, and the Provincial and Legislative Assemblies of Pakistan joined the programme. Honourable Qasim Khan Suri, Deputy Speaker, the National Assembly of Pakistan and Vice President, PIPS Board of Governors, graced the inaugural ceremony as chief guest.

The programme began with the recitation of Holy Quran by Qari Anis ur Rehman. Director General, Parliamentary Development Program & Information Technology (PDP&IT), Ms. Samer Awais, welcomed the course participants and presented an overview of the design, module and assessment methodology of the course. She highlighted the salient features of newly developed Learning Management System (LMS), which was a step towards conservation of Parliamentary Knowledge and digitalized learning.

Her presentation was followed by formal welcome address by Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Anwar, who shared with the audience the vision of the Board of Governor to build linkages with all State Institutions from the platform of PIPS. He advised the Officers that the key to excel in the Parliamentary domain was hard work, non-partisan approach and professionalism. Mr. Anwar thanked the Honourable Deputy Speaker for his kind patronage, and encouraged the participants to stay updated on Parliamentary knowledge and practices. He emphasized on the role and duties of Parliamentary functionaries, in smoothly running the House business and in facilitating the Members of their respective Houses.

The event was formally inaugurated by Honourable Mr. Muhammad Qasim Khan Suri. In his opening speech, he lauded PIPS for its role in strengthening the Parliament and building linkages between the Parliament, Executive and Parliamentary Services. He appreciated the Officers in the Parliamentary sector as they were part of the most important State Institution and advised them to take maximum advantage of the opportunity that had been accorded to them on the platform of NPDC. The ceremony concluded with a group photograph of the Course participants with the chief guest.

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.

Commencement of 7th National Parliamentary Development Course November 03 – December 18, 2020

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