Honourable Chairman Senate Eulogizes PIPS Initiative to Promote Parliamentary Studies in Universities from all over Pakistan

March 21, 2017 OTHERS, OUTREACH, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Honourable Chairman Senate of Pakistan Senator Mian Raza Rabbani eulogized the PIPS initiative to hold a 3-day training program titled “Training of Trainers (TOT): Parliamentary Studies Program” at Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services in the backdrop of declaration signed on February 9, 2015 to introduce parliamentary studies as a new discipline in universities.

Senator Mian Raza Rabbani emphasized the need for Parliament’s continued leadership in making country a welfare federal state as per the Constitution and as envisaged by father of the nation Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He also informed the audience that Senate has since 2015-16 introduced two types of youth internships, one three month internships twice in a year where students get to know working of Senate and second Annual one year Senate Clerks Programme in which they get opportunity to work in various sections and branches of the Secretariat. Senator Mian Raza Rabbani offered the universities offering parliamentary studies any support required from Senate of Pakistan to promote Parliament, Constitutionalism and welfare state. He also acknowledged PIPS efforts in training the Senate Interns viz a viz Constitution and working of the Parliament.

Mr Zafarullah Khan Executive Director PIPS conducted an absorbing session on Parliamentary Studies as a new discipline in which he shared theoretical framework to design such a curriculum. He also gave examples from contemporary Parliaments such as UK House of Commons as how the Speaker also meets students of parliamentary studies degree program and graduates studying same are given opportunity to serve the House of Commons in practicum. In last session Prof Dr Rasul Baksh Raees and Dr Mahboob Hussain spoke on contemporary issues and challenges in parliamentary studies. The interactive session was keenly participated by all the 35 participants. Ms Shaza Fatimah Khawaja, MNA, also graced the occasion and shared her experiences of teaching about Parliament at LUMS. Dir R and IT PIPS Mr Zaka moderated the session ably supported by his research and IT team Ms Tehseen Khalid SRO, Mr Muhammad Rizwan Manzoor, RO, Mr Zahoor Ahmad IT officer, and Mr Zahid and logistics by Mir Shai Baloch, AD HR.

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.

Honourable Chairman Senate Eulogizes PIPS Initiative to Promote Parliamentary Studies in Universities from all over Pakistan

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