COURSE FOR THE SPECIALIZED PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS OF THE SENATE SECRETARIAT

January 6, 2025 CIVIL SERVANTS, COURSES, FUNCTIONARIES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) launched a comprehensive long course for specialized parliamentary groups of the Senate Secretariat on January 6, 2025, at its Islamabad campus. The program is designed to enhance participants’ expertise in policy analysis, legislative processes, and essential parliamentary skills.

The course includes seven modules, covering topics such as the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate, 2012, and the Rules of Business, 1973. Participants will also receive training in presentation skills, legislative drafting, AI tools with an emphasis on digital safety and ethics, team building, time management, language proficiency, and noting and drafting techniques. These modules aim to equip officers with the tools necessary to excel in their roles.

The opening session began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Qari Anees ur Rehman. Ms. Maryam Ahsan moderated the event, introducing Ms. Samer Awais, Director General of the Parliamentary Development Program, who delivered the welcome remarks. Ms. Awais outlined the program agenda and emphasized the inclusion of AI tools and their ethical consideration in today’s digital landscape.

The facilitator, Syed Hussain Haider, was introduced as an expert with international experience in policy analysis. His session covered Pakistan’s socio-economic challenges, including its ranking of 145th out of 146 countries on the Gender Gap Index and 4^th in violent extremism. He provided practical insights into policy analysis using models such as:

MPH Model: Merit, Pragmatic, Honesty
HAIR Model: Helicopter approach, Analyze, Imagination, Rationale/Realistic
SWOC Model: Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Challenges
PESTEL Model: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Legal

Participants engaged in an interactive group activity, applying these models to real-world policies for hands-on learning followed by group presentations.

The day concluded with a formal vote of thanks. Upcoming sessions will focus on honing presentation skills, noting and drafting techniques, and the application of AI tools, ensuring a robust and dynamic training experience.

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.

COURSE FOR THE SPECIALIZED PARLIAMENTARY GROUPS OF THE SENATE SECRETARIAT

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