Orientation Parliamentary Best Practices

February 21, 2019 MEMBERS, ORIENTATIONS

Islamabad, February 21^st, 2019: Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) organized an “Orientation Programme on Parliamentary Best Practices” for first-term Members of the National Assembly of Pakistan from February 20-21, 2019 at PIPS, Islamabad. The two-day event was held in collaboration with the UK Parliament and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA) as well as the National Assembly Secretariat, Pakistan. The UK delegation, headed by Hon. Naz Shah-MP included Hon. Faisal Rashid-MP, Baroness Sayeeda Hussain Warsi, Lord Rogan-Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, Mr. Jon Davies-Chief Executive CPA UK and Ms. Umamah Basit-Programme Officer CPA-UK.

Member of the National Assembly and Convener Pak-UK Parliamentary Friendship Group, Syed Fakhar Imam, inaugurated the event. While addressing the participants as the chief guest, he said that the young parliamentarians have the potential and adequate knowledge to become the future dynamic leaders of the world. Ms. Naz Shah-MP emphasized on the need to build a positive global image of Pakistan and offered full support of the CPA-UK in overcoming the hurdles in doing so. She also encouraged the Parliamentarians to participate in the world-wide training conducted by the CPA-UK in different countries. Chief Executive of CPA-UK Jon Davies, in his remarks was of the view that cross country exchange programmes like these would be beneficial for Parliamentarians of both countries. Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Zafarullah Khan in lauded the role of CPA-UK in strengthening and promoting the democratic values.

The two-day orientation programme included several thematic sessions related to the Parliamentary Decorum and Traditions, Standards in Public Office, the Legislative Process and Post Legislative Scrutiny. The participants and the delegation in these interactive sessions drew parallels between the British and Pakistani Parliamentary systems. The event concluded with vote of thanks by the Executive Director and presentation of mementos to the visiting delegate.

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 Parliamentary Best Practices

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