As per the tradition, the Pakistan Institute For Parliamentary Services, conducted an orientation session for newly elected Senators on the rules of procedure and working of the Senate, on 3rd May, 2012, in collaboration with SDPD Project of UNDP, at PIPS Training Facility, Parliament Lodges. The PIPS New Senators’ Orientation 2012 provided a healthy interactive forum for Honourable Senators and officials of Senate and PIPS to elucidate on various aspects and dynamics of functions, role and working of the Senate of Pakistan. The Orientation was keenly attended by twenty six Honourable newly elected Senators.
The proceedings commenced by recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Senator Abdul Satter. Mr. Khan Ahmad Goraya, Executive Director PIPS, introduced the Senators to the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, which is country’s premier first of its kind training and research facility for national and provincial legislatures. He also apprised the participants about the Constitutional role of the Senate and its importance. The attention of the Senators was especially drawn towards the significant role of Senate as a source of strengthening the federation by its equal representation of all provinces, Senator’s effectiveness in monitoring & accountability and in the appointment of Judges in wake of the recent historic 18th, 19th and 20th Constitutional Amendments.
In the second session, Mr Iftikhar Ullah Babar, Secretary Senate, briefed the Senators on the Rules of Procedure, Business of Senate and important administrative matters of how Senate works. He also defined various parliamentary terms i.e Calling Attention Notice, Adjournment Motion, Resolutions, Privilege Motion and Point of Order.
In the final session of the programme, Mr Amjed Pervez, Special Secretary (Senate) described the role of Committees and Sub-committees. He made a comprehensive presentation on role, responsibilities and functions of various types of parliamentary committees, which was eagerly followed by the Senators. Mr Mahboob Ali, AdditionalSecretary (legislation) Senate delivered a précis and impressive presentation on legislative process and various aspects of legislative and non legislative business. Mr.Muhammad Anwar, Joint Secretary, Senate, made a very interactive presentation on Question Hour, types of questions and how to draft relevant questions as tools of accountability of government ministries. Each session saw keen participation and dialogue by Honourable Senators regarding the various topics discussed on the day.
The hon’ble Senators who participated in the day-long Orientation included Senator Abdul Satter, Senator Hidayat Ullah, Senator Saeed ull Hassan, Senator. Nisar Muhammad, Senator Ms Nasreen Jalil, Senator. Muzzafar Hussain Shah, Senator. Ahmad Hassan, Senator. Hari Ram Kishonlal, Senator. Mukhtiar Ahmad Dhamrah, Senator. Osman Saifullah Khan, Senator. Sehar Kamran, Senator. Saeed Ghani, Senator. Dr. Kareem Ahmed khawaja, Senator Ms. Nuzhat Sadiq, Senator.Haji Saifullah Khan Bangash, Senator. Najamul Hassan, Senator. Shahi Sayed, Senator. Amarjeet, Senator Muhammad Hamza, Senator Rozi Khan Kakar, Senator. Hilal ul Rehman, Senator. Muhammad yousuf, Senator. Zahida Khan, Senator. Khalida Parveen, Senator Nawabzada Saifullah Magsi, Senator. Heman Dass. Mr Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, PIPS Director (R&IT), was the course director and Mr Muhammad Afzal Soomro PIPS Deputy Director (Legislation) recorded its proceedings. Ms Marvi Sirmid, National Project Manager, (SDPD project-UNDP) and Mr Jamil Qureshi, National Advisor (SDPD) as well as senior officials and researchers of Senate and PIPS also attended the proceedings.
In the end, on behalf of all participants, the Honourable Senator Muhammad Hamza, a seasoned parliamentarian since 1962, appreciated the role of the newly established Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services in building the skills and capabilities of the parliamentarians and equipping the newly elected Senators with understanding ofSenate Rules of Procedures to enable them as effective legislators. He graciously acknowledged the Executive Director, fellow Secretaries and team of PIPS for their hard work in holding the event.
Mr Khan Ahmad Goraya, Executive Director PIPS, presented a vote of thanks to all the Honourable Senators for their active participation in all the three sessions and the SDPD project of UNDP for their collaboration and support. The Executive Director informed the Senators that the new Senators’ Orientation Programme has commenced series of such interactions on significant parliamentary topics throughout the year.