Heartiest Welcome by PIPS Team to Honourable Speaker, National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

December 15, 2015 OTHERS

Honorable Speaker National Assembly of Paksitan/ President PIPS Board of Governors Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’a maiden visit and briefing at PIPS: The Acting Executive Director Mr Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, received and welcomed the Honourable Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan/President PIPS Board of Governors Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on his maiden visit to the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services after election to the prestigious office of Speaker, National Assembly of Pakistan. The Executive Director, made a comprehensive presentation to the Honourable President viz a viz the approved vision and work plan approved by PIPS Board of Governors and the quality-oriented research, capacity building, legislative and outreach services to 1174 Members of National Parliament as well as four provincial assemblies in addition to catering for training of over 5,000 officers and staff working at the respective Secretariat as well as Parliament’s outreach to academia, students, civil society and media. The President PIPS Board of Governors, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq acknowledged the achievements of PIPS team and envisioned it to develop into a centre of Palriamentary excellence not only in Pakistan and Asia but world over. The Honourable Speaker also appreciated the timely and absorbing researches and legislations drafted by the Institute for individual MPs and Committees as well as PIPS key role in promotion of Parliamentary Studies programme that is already commenced as a new discipline in 10 national universities. He stressed the need to maintain the increased momentum of activities by the Institute to offer its valued services to maximum stakeholders including planning a course for Committee staff, enhanced outreach to national as well as international agencies and continue its enhanced engagement with the youth at university, college as well as school level. Respected MNAs and Members of BoG Ms Marriyum Aurangzeb and Mr Malik Uzair and Secretary NA also accompanied the President PIPS BoG. The Honourable Speaker encouraged PIPS to continue its efforts in an integrated manner not only with the National Parliament but the four provincial assemblies as well as legislative assemblies of AJK and Gilgit Baltistan to achieve his vision of a quality-oriented Parliamentary Institution.

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.

Heartiest Welcome by PIPS Team to Honourable Speaker, National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

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