In-House Training on Artificial Intelligence for the Officers of the Punjab Assembly Secretariat, Lahore

November 5, 2025 CIVIL SERVANTS, COURSES, FUNCTIONARIES

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) is organizing a three-day In-house training on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the officers of the Punjab Assembly Secretariat. A total of 40 participants attended the training, which focuses on developing practical skills to apply AI tools for improved efficiency, innovation, and digital transformation in public administration.

The training aims to strengthen participants understanding of Artificial Intelligence and its integration in government administration, with emphasis on ChatGPT and other generative AI tools for drafting, research, communication, and committee coordination. The programme is designed to help officers streamline documentation, enhance workflow, and adopt emerging digital solutions in line with modern governance practices.

The inaugural session commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Mr. Shahab Khattak, Assistant Director, moderated the session and extended a very warm welcome to all respected participants on behalf of the Executive Director, Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS). He appreciated the participants’ commitment to embracing new knowledge and skills in the field of Artificial Intelligence to support the work of the Punjab Assembly Secretariat.

Mr. Asif Zamir, Director Information Technology, PIPS, started the technical discussion with thought-provoking questions about Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), and ChatGPT, creating an interactive learning atmosphere. He explained how ChatGPT works through prompts, tokens, and responses, discussed types of AI such as Narrow AI, Artificial General Intelligence (Generative AI), and Super AI, and introduced participants to Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs). The session also highlighted ethical considerations and responsible use of AI in government, along with the National AI Policy of Pakistan.

In the upcoming sessions, participants will explore AI-assisted drafting and policy research, committee coordination and oversight, as well as AI’s role in official communication and correspondence, public engagement and transparency, and integration and workflow optimization. The training will conclude with a capstone activity, where participants will present practical AI-driven administrative solutions developed during the programme.

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.

In-House Training on Artificial Intelligence for the Officers of the Punjab Assembly Secretariat, Lahore

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