In the picturesque shades of Margallas in Islamabad, the new campus of country’s premier research and training institute for national and provincial legislatures – the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) was inaugurated by the Honourable Madam Speaker Dr. Fahmida Mirza on Thursday 30th May 2012 (8th Rajab ul Murajab 1433 A.H.).
2. The Founding President of the Institute’s Board, Madam Speaker Dr. Fehmida Mirza, was the Chief guest at the occasion, which was graced by the Vice President, PIPS Board of Governors, Senator Sabir Ali Baloch, Deputy Chairman, Senate; US Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Cameron Munter as well as US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Ms. Tara D. Sonenshine, who had especially arrived in Islamabad to attend the PIPS Inauguration. The Ceremony was also attended by the Institute’s Board of Governors comprising Honourable Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, Speaker – Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, Honourable Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Speaker – Provincial Assembly of Punjab, Honourable Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Speaker – Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Senator Dr. Saeeda Iqbal, Senator Engineer Muhammad Humayun Khan Mandokhel, Mr. Aftab Shahban Mirani, MNA, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, MNA, Ms. Yasmeen Rehman, MNA, Mr. S.A. Iqbal Qadri, MNA, Mr. Pervez Khan, MNA, Mr. Zafar Beg Bhittani, MNA, Mr. Karamat Hussain Niazi, Secretary, National Assembly of Pakistan, Mr. Iftikhar Ullah Babar, Secretary, Senate of Pakistan and the founding Executive Director of the Institute Mr. Khan Ahmad Goraya. Honourable Speakers of AJK and Gilgit Baltistan assemblies, seasoned former Senator Ch Muhammad Anwer Bhinder, former Speaker, National Assembly Syed Fakher Imam, federal ministers, parliamentarians and distinguished foreign guests also attended the ceremony. The formal proceedings of the ceremony commenced by a beautiful recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by country’s renowned Qari Mr. Najam Mustafa. PIPS Director Research & IT, Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, was the Master of the ceremony, who offered the word of acknowledgement and gratitude to the Honourable Chief Guest, members of PIPS Board of Governors, worthy Parliamentarians, foreign dignitaries and distinguished guests for gracing the landmark occasion in the Parliamentary history of Pakistan.
3. Mr. Khan Ahmad Goraya, Executive Director, PIPS, presented the welcome address, in which he thanked the distinguished guests including Speakers of Provincial Assemblies, former Speaker, members of PIPS Board of Governors, US Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Cameron Munter, foreign dignitaries, federal ministers and excellencies. He acknowledged the insightful leadership of Madam Speaker and eulogized the hard work of PIPS Board of Governors at each step of development of the Institute. He also appreciated the eager role of parliamentarians and support of the Senate and the National Assembly Secretariat in establishing the Institute.
4. He thanked the USAID and extended warm felicitations to US dignitaries for the gift of PIPS new campus from the people of United States to Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He specifically appreciated the tireless efforts of the PIPS core team in organizing range of various training programmes/ workshops for wide range of audience including the Parliamentarians, Secretariat staff of the Senate, National Assembly and provincial assemblies as well as media-reporters and members of the civil society organizations. Mr. Goraya emphasized the significant role of PIPS to strengthen and support parliamentary democracy in the country and the region. He also elaborated the state of the art features of the building and its self-reliant electricity generating capability. He recognized the USAID office of Democracy and Governance as well as their Engineering unit, Messer’s Nayyar Ali Dada, CDM Pvt Limited and Messer’s Habib Rafiq (Pvt.) Ltd. in constructing and furnishing such a wonderful building. In the last Mr. Goraya again thanked Honourable Madam Speaker and PIPS Board of Governors for their insightfulness, continuous guidance, persistent support and blessings.
5. Then the Master of the Ceremony invited Ms. Tara D. Sonenshine, Under Secretary of State, who had especially arrived in Pakistan for the PIPS inauguration for her remarks. Sheacknowledged that Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services is not only a long term investment in Pakistan’s future but a perfect symbol of mutual commitment between US and Pakistan towards consolidation of a democratic and transparent government in Pakistan. She reiterated that US government is committed to support Pakistan as it continues to build stability, security and prosperity at home and in the region. Ms Sonenshine stated that strong democratic institutions undergird these goals and enable to buildup projects like PIPS for the benefit of both the government and citizens of Pakistan. She praised the efforts of USAID and Parliament of Pakistan in building the new campus and hiring the requisite personnel and further appreciated that their hard work has been well worth it. She expressed the confidence that PIPS would be a source to keep legislators informed as informed people make informed decisions which are of benefit to all citizens and sharing information between democracies is a way to strength democracy at home.
6. The Vice President, PIPS Board of Governors, Honourable Senator Sabir Ali Baloch, Deputy Chairman Senate also expressed his sentiments. He affectionately welcomed the distinguished guests on behalf of PIPS Board of Governors for gracing the auspicious occasion. The Deputy Chairman elaborated the role of the parliament, its significance, functions, responsibilities and the dire need of knowledge, training and resources in performance of the aforementioned tasks as parliamentarians of Pakistan. He emphasized that it was this vision that made parliamentarians across parties to work together and establish the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services through an Act of the Parliament in 2008. He acknowledged the initiative of Senator Chaudhry Muhammad Anwer Bhinder, who introduced the setting of the institute through presentation of a private bill in the Senate of Pakistan. The Deputy Chairman praised Honourable Madam Speaker and all members of PIPS Board of Governors for their untiring contributions and persistent support in the establishment of an independent parliamentary research, training and capacity building institute, which will equip parliamentarians and their staff with modern strategies and tools in performance of their duties effectively and efficiently. Senator Sabir Ali Baloch appreciated the fact that unbiased analysis by PIPS would enable quality decision making by parliamentarians across all national and provincial legislatures. He conveyed his heartiest felicitations to the Mr. Khan Ahmad Goraya, Executive Director and PIPS team for their committed efforts to raise the institute as a model not only in Pakistan but in the whole Asia region. He concluded his remarks by acclaiming the gracious support of the United States of America for supporting the construction of modern PIPS new campus.
7. H.E. Mr. Cameron Munter, US Ambassador to Pakistan was also invited to commemorate the inauguration. Mr. Cameron Munter praised the fruitful endeavours of the US and Pakistani people on which their relationship was strengthening. He paid his respect with gratitude to the Madam Speaker, Deputy Chairman Senate, Executive Director, to dignitaries and colleagues as well as to US Under Secretary of State. His Excellency Mr. Ambassador felt honoured to be at the ceremony and stated it is a tribute to Parliamentary Democracy and its commitment to the people of Pakistan, which is the essence of US Pakistan relationship. He appreciated the legislative assemblies for their efforts, started off in 2004-5, in creation of a centre for professional development for parliamentarians and staff of both the national and provincial legislatures. He also cherished the commitment of Pakistanis parliamentarians which inspired the United States to work with Parliament of Pakistan to convert this vision into reality. The Ambassador stated that PIPS reflects a long-term commitment from the past and it will continue in the future. He believed that US support to Pakistan is not only dedicated to just construction of the state of the art research training centre but to a place where knowledge and ideas can become legislation and lead the country forward and working together it will enable to achieve the higher stage of information and knowledge, i.e., wisdom.
8. The Ambassador regarded PIPS as an expression of deep partnership and US commitment to democracy, which is long-term, respectful and forward looking. He stated that PIPS is evidence of cross party co-operation to support the legislative branch as well as to serve the needs of Pakistani people by addressing most complex public policy issues facing Pakistan today. He aspired that PIPS role would also include fostering exchanges between the American Congress enabling them to understand Pakistani people and Parliamentarians. He regarded this as an exercise in leadership which is not only creation of four walls but also to fill it with the substance of democracy, discussions of tolerance, understanding of accountability and the commitment to honest governance. In the end, the Ambassador thanked and congratulated the Pakistani parliamentarians’ for their continued energy and success in their efforts and reiterated the support of United States as Pakistanis work to deepen the roots of democracy in the Pakistan.
9. Honourable, Madam Speaker Dr. Fehmida Mirza was invited for her inaugural address. She welcomed the fellow Parliamentarians, PIPS’ Board members, foreign dignitaries and distinguished guests. Madam Speaker stated that it was an honour for her to inaugurate the first of its kind training and research institution for national and provincial legislatures – the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services. She shared her emotional belongingness to the creation PIPS as the founding President of its Board due to her involvement at each step of the development of the incumbent seat of legislative learning. Honourable Madam Speaker emphasized that PIPS has a sacred mission to facilitate the Parliament and provincial assemblies in performance of their tasks in a more meaningful and professional manner and establishment of its new campus is a landmark towards commencement of full-fledged legislative, research, capacity building and outreach services.
10. Madam Speaker thanked the government of United States and USAID for their generous support for constructing and furnishing the new campus of PIPS. She also expressed her heartiest gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Cameron Munter, US Ambassador to Pakistan, for his continuous efforts to bring together the two nations and governments in these testing times. Honourable Madam Speaker appreciated the initiatives of US Congress through House of Democracy Partnership (HDP) for developing bilateral relations between the parliaments of both the countries. She also signified PIPS as the future platform for the dialogue between parliaments of Pakistan and United States and desired that HDP in collaboration with US Congressional Research Services (CRS) would facilitate PIPS to develop its team of professionals and experts.
11. Honourable Speaker acknowledged Legislative Development Steering Committee in PIPS policy making and enactment of PIPS Act 2008. Madam Speaker eulogized consistent and dedicated efforts of the PIPS Board of Governors throughout PIPS’ three years roadmap of consolidation from 2008-09 to 2012. She also acknowledged the National Assembly of Pakistan for managing a saving of Rs. 34 million to acquire the picturesque 1.5 acre land from CDA for PIPS new Campus. She also expressed satisfaction in appraising the fact that the Parliament of Pakistan has full responsibility of funding the PIPS operations.
12. Honourable Madam Speaker expressed her contentment that the first phase of merit-oriented, transparent and competitive recruitment process for inducting PIPS’ professional legislative, research and capacity building staff has been completed, which would go a long way in establishing it as a centre of excellence. Madam Speaker congratulated the Executive Director and the pioneering team of PIPS for their tireless efforts in performance of arduous tasks of institution building in a small interim office. She believed that PIPS team has enormous challenge to provide in-depth research, analysis, informational database and briefings for parliamentarians and staff on public policy issues and legislative initiatives. Therefore, she reminded them to adhere to five key values of PIPS, that are: Integrity, Professionalism, Non-partisanship, Anticipation and Accessibility in order to make PIPS as a model for parliamentary institutions world over. Honourable Madam Speaker inspired the parliamentarians to avail and utilize the privilege of such an institute at their door step and welcomed any suggestions for the improvement of services at PIPS.
13. In the end, Honourable Madam Speaker reiterated her heartiest gratitude to the government and people of United States for their gift to the Parliament and people of Pakistan in the form of supporting construction of PIPS new building. She also congratulated all present for their kind presence and becoming a part of a new beginning not only for the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services but for effective parliamentary democracy as envisaged by the founding fathers of Pakistan and as reflected in the unanimous 1973 Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. She concluded her address with the proud national slogan, “Pakistan Zindabad!”
14. Subsequently, Honourable Madam Speaker in the presence of Deputy Chairman Senate and the proud members of the PIPS Board, US Ambassador and Under Secretary of State, unveiled the Inauguration plaque of PIPS New Campus. The ceremony concluded by offering thanksgiving prayers to ALLAH Almighty for the well being and prosperity of the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services followed by a tour of the new campus by the Chief Guest, BoG members including Honourable Speakers of provincial assemblies, parliamentarians and distinguished guests.