Parliamentary Seminar on State of Economy and Debt Trap for Honourable Members of Parliament (June 13, 2022)

EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, LEGAL SOCIALIZATION, MEMBERS, MEMBERS, NATIONAL, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

The National Assembly of Pakistan, in collaboration of the Mustehkam Parliamaan EU-GIZ Project and the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) held a day long Parliamentary Seminar on State of Economy and Pakistan’s Debt Trap for Honourable Members of the National Assembly on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Constitution Room of the Parliament House. The Interactive Seminar organized as envisioned by Honourable Speaker National Assembly/ President PIPS Board of Governors Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, was attended by attended by more than 35 participants including cross party MNAs, experts on economy and public finance and fraternity of parliamentary researchers.

The proceedings began with inaugural session that included welcome remarks and introduction of agenda by Syed Shamoon Hasmi, A.S (Special Initiatives NA), Mr Muhammad Anwar PIPS Executive Director and Mr Pervaiz Abbas Deputy Team Leader (Mustehkam Parlimaan EU-GIZ-PIPS project). Mr Dawood Ahmed, Public Finance Management, Mustehkam Parlimaan, touched upon the Budget Books followed by salient features of Annual Budget Statements and Budget in Brief FY2022-23. Reputed Economist of the country Mr Waseem Shahid Malik, Adjunct Faculty of PIPS since 2014 elucidated on the state and challenges of Economy as well as the way forward both in short term followed by strategic imperatives for consideration of country’s top policy makers and MPs. He emphasized the need for enhanced focus on productivity of finished industries and advancement in agriculture to boost exports along with prioritizing viz a viz imports so that country does not waste precious exchequer on consumer-based commodities. Last but not the least, Mr Aizaz Asif, PFM Expert from Mustehkam Parlimaan threw light on available parliamentary authority especially with regard to role of parliamentary committees in actual participation during all steps of budget making, authorization and scrutiny of various ministries through out the year.

Honourable MNAs took keen part in the roundtable Q and A session as well as interactive deliberation to chalk down short term and long terms steps to be take for the Parliament, the government and respective institutions. All Hon Members of Parliament deliberated on imperative aspects of exports, debt and Pakistan’s efforts towards development. Hon MPs Mr Salahuddin, Ms Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Ms Wajeha Qamar, Ms Romina Khurshid Alam, Ms Kiran Dar and Dr Shazia Aslam Soomro highlighted various set of recommendations towards enhanced human resource of the country. Parliamentary researchers also asked absorbing questions from the panel.

As per tradition since 2013-14, the Institute continues to offer special research and technical assistance to MPs of federal as well as provincial legislators during the budget presentation and debate through the PIPS Economy and Budget Desk of the Research wing. Hon. MPs eulogized the initiative of Honourable Speaker National Assembly/ President PIPS Board of Governors Raja Pervaiz Ashraf as well as the organizers for a wholesome deliberation on the challenges and way forward towards economic development of Pakistan.

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.

Parliamentary Seminar on State of Economy and Debt Trap for Honourable Members of Parliament (June 13, 2022)

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