PAKISTAN DAY SEMINAR MARKS UNITY IN DIVERSITY, MARCH 22, 2023

CIVIL SERVANTS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services marked the celebration of the Pakistan Day with a passionate and interactive Seminar on “Constitution & Working of Parliament: Vision of the Quaid and PAKISTAN RESOLUTION,” MARCH 22, 2023 with a packed venue comprising more than 85 participants including 5 faculty members and three batches of undergrad. students at the Department of Political Science of the Rawalpindi Women University. Mr Ghulam Murtaza, Asstt Professor welcomed the PIPS team and highlighted the historic importance of 23^rd March, 1940 in the struggle for democratic Pakistan.

Mr Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research), as the key note Speaker for the seminar, identified the spirit of let and let live, agree to disagree, equality of citizens, well being of the masses and deliverance of socio-cultural and political freedom of all minorities, as the hallmark of the historic Pakistan Resolution passed in Lahore’s Iqbal Park on 23^rd March, 1940. Mr Zaka also highlighted the nature of the Constitution of Pakistan viz a viz the fundamental rights chapter as well as its basic characteristics – democratic, parliamentary, federal and Islamic with an independent judiciary; all promising non discrimination in society where all are equal. The State gradually ensures fulfillment of the principle that promises to create opportunities for all the people to contribute in areas of their aptitude and to all according to their work.

He also gave numerous examples from the lives of the founding father of Pakistan, Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who always displayed integrity, honesty, financial propriety, hard work and righteousness as the key elements of leadership that the youth must follow. The session concluded with appreciation of the unity in diversity of Pakistanis as the way forward for a united hardwork in the direction of prosperous happy future for the coming generations. Dr Fauzia, Assistant Professor, presented the University Shield to DG (Research) PIPS and she appreciated PIPS Research Team and expressed her gratitude for inspirational seminar by the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services. Mr Jimshid Asghar AD Research PIPS and Mr Ghulam Murtaza AP, RWU, for organizing the event that concluded with a group photo with participants and the passionate slogan PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!

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.

PAKISTAN DAY SEMINAR MARKS UNITY IN DIVERSITY, MARCH 22, 2023

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