Orientation on the Constitutional Framework of Pakistan and the Role of Legislators for HSSP Scholarship Holders 15-19 August, 2022.

COURSES, EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, OTHERS, OUTREACH, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

The Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in collaboration with Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the National Assmebly of Pakistan, organised a five-day orientation programme on the “Constitutional Framework of Pakistan and the Role of Legislators” from August 15 to 19, 2022 at PIPS campus Islamabad. Additional Secretary, National Assembly Secretariat, Mr. Syed Shamoon Hashmi proposed to educate the young Afghan university students receiving scholarships under Hanns Seidel Scholarship Program (HSSP) on democracy to strengthen their democratic skills. The objective was to enable the Afghan HSSP scholarship holders to have a better understanding of the constitutional framework of Pakistan and provide them with exposure and knowledge of the democratic structure of Pakistan.

The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the introduction of the participants by Ms. Mariam Ahsan, Deputy Director, Parliamentary Development Programme (PDP), PIPS. Ms. Samer Awais, Director General, Parliamentary Development Programme & Coordination (PDP & C), gave an overview of the orientation to the participants where she stressed on the importance to learn to unlearn and relearn new knowledge for personal improvement, and a better future. In his opening remarks, Resident Representative HSF Pakistan, Dr. Steffen Kudella, emphasized the need to strengthen the democratic skills of Afghan students to enable them better understand their social multiplier roles for regional stability. The Executive Director, PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Anwar welcomed all the participants while briefing them about the organizational structure and the working nature of PIPS. He also praised the positive and productive collaboration of PIPS, HSF, and National Assembly for the capacity-building of the young Afghan university students. This was followed by a session on Democracy: The Powers, Limitations, and Accountability of a Government by Mr. Ali Imran, Democratic Governance Expert.

The five-day orientation was divided into multiple sessions on Constitution, Legislative and Non-Legislative Buisness, Committees, Parliamentary Research Products, Emerging Parliamentary Forums and a motivational session on Paradigm Shift. These sessions were delivered by eminent government officials and experts from civil societies and academia. A visit to the Parliament was also arranged where the participants got the chance to see the National Assembly of Pakistan, Museum, Session hall and Secretariats of different parliamentary forums like SDGs and Women Caucus. During the visit, the Honourable Member National Assembly of Pakistan, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam held an interactive session with the Interns on the topic “A day in the Life of a Legislator”. She highlighted the challenges, role and responsibilities’ a Parliamentarian faces in their day to day working. The Orientation programme concluded on 19^th August, 2022 and participants were awarded certificate by the respected Director General, PDP & C, PIPS, Ms. Samer Awais. In her closing remarks, Ms. Awais congratulated the participants and emphasized on the concept of social multiplier. She further said that now we are becoming global citizens and obligation of global citizens is not restricted to boundaries of one’s own country but globally. She also appreciated the efforts of PIPS and HSF teams on successful completion of 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.

Orientation on the Constitutional Framework of Pakistan and the Role of Legislators for HSSP Scholarship Holders 15-19 August, 2022.

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