PIPS Enthralling Session on Parliamentary Processes for Interns from 11 universities at IRM

August 18, 2025 ORIENTATIONS

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), as part of parliamentary studies initiative of the Parliament, organized an enthralling one-day interactive orientation session for the interns from eleven (11) universities across Pakistan serving at the Institute for Rural Management on Monday, August 18, 2025 at PIPS Islamabad. The event aimed to enhance students’ understanding of democratic institutions, legislative processes, and services provided by the PIPS to parliamentarians. Seminar was attended by around 25 interns from eleven universities: QAU, GIKI, Arid Agricultural University, FJWU, Health Services Academy, NDU, NUMS, COMSATS, SZABIST, MUET and Bahria University, Islamabad, and and two officials from the Institute for Rural Management (IRM).

The session commenced with the National Anthem. Mr. Hafiz Anees ur Rehman, recited the verses from the Holy Quran. Syed Muhammad Mamoon Gilani, Assistant Director (Research) welcomed all participants and gave over view of the Program as he moderated the session. Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research), PIPS extended a warm welcome to the attendees on behalf of the President PIPS BoG/ Honorable Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and Executive Director PIPS Mr Asim Khan Goraya and PIPS Research Wing.

The first session, facilitated by Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, focused on “Working of Parliament, Legislative process and PIPS mandate”. He provided an in-depth overview of the parliamentary system in Pakistan and explained the democratic framework and principles governing the Parliament, highlighting the role of elected representatives in lawmaking and governance. The session detailed the structure and functions of the National Assembly and Senate, along with the legislative process, including the introduction, debate, and passage of bills. He also shared the remarkable journey of PIPS, which has emerged as a centre of excellence among 181 institutes and has been recognized as a top-tier institution internationally, ranking among 70 countries providing professional services to Members of Parliament.

In the second session Ms. Tehseen Khalid, Director (Research), PIPS, focused on the topic “Working of PIPS and PIPS Research products” She elaborated on the institute’s role in assisting Parliamentarians through research and capacity-building programs and explained how PIPS serves as an exclusive research and training facilities to the parliamentarians and functionaries. She highlighted the services offered to Members of Parliament, including research on demand, technical support to committees and MPs. While discussing the core principles of parliamentary research, she highlighted how PIPS is committed to delivering high-quality research support to Members of Parliament, often within tight time constraints. Further she discussed about the various research products such as infographics, briefing papers, position papers, and information packs that aid legislators in informed decision-making.

In the third session Ms. Fakiha Mahmood, Deputy Director (Research) focused on the topic “Parliamentary Oversight Tools” She discussed various tools which are being used for the oversight of the executives such as Parliamentary committees, Motions and Debates, Starred and Un-starred questions.

A dedicated Question & Answer session allowed students to engage with the speakers, seeking clarifications on research services, and the significance of parliamentary democracy. Their queries reflected keen interest and a desire to gain a deeper understanding of parliamentary affairs. Mr. Zaka, DG Research PIPS, reiterated that as youth of the country, we must believe and practice the democratic maxim: we agree to disagree as practiced and exemplified by the Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which made him a towering statesman of the century. Youth are catalyst of harmony and progressiveness who can volunteer with the Parliament to become ambassadors in the national drive of Prevention against violent extremist policy (PVE).

Mr. Shahzad (Program Coordinator), Institute for Rural Management delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to PIPS for organizing an insightful session. He eulogized that being an internationally recognized think tank of the legislature, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) is undoubtedly contributing professionally to connect people and the Parliament. The absorbing interactive session concluded with a group photo with Mr. Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director, PIPS, who congratulated Research Wing on the quality of interactive session hosted at PIPS. The session concluded with the one voice slogan – PAKISTAN ZINDABAD and distribution of PIPS books to the guest and students. The Interns described the PIPS session as memorable initiative of the Parliament.

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.

PIPS Enthralling Session on Parliamentary Processes for Interns from 11 universities at IRM

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