PIPS and Fatima Jinnah Women University sign MoU to promote Academic and Research Linkages.

January 13, 2016 OTHERS

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) and Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding today at PIPS Islamabad. The MoU was signed by Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Executive Director, PIPS and Prof. Dr. Samina Amin Qadir, Vice Chancellor, FJWU with the aim to facilitate partnering Institutions in areas of mutual interest and device strategies to collaborate in research, exchange of trainers, curriculum development for Parliamentary studies program, organize conferences, workshops and trainings. Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Executive Director PIPS presented a set of publications of the institute and curriculum of Parliamentary studies program devised by PIPS team that will help the institute to adopt respective program effectively. Dr. Samina Amin Qadir, VC, FJWU informed the august gathering comprising delegates from research, training, defence and diplomatic studies and public administration of PIPS and FJWU, that in liaison with the Institute, the University has designed curriculum for general/ elective course on Parliamentary Studies which will be offered in Spring 2016 semester for all social sciences disciplines. Speaking on the occasion, Executive Director, PIPS offered training of trainers (TOT) for launching Parliamentary Studies program at the University. Both the leaders had a consensus on mutual collaboration for the future in their efforts towards best understanding of challenges faced by the country in the fields of public policy, parliamentary studies and defense and diplomatic studies among Pakistani decision makers, including parliamentarians, academia and intelligentsia. The Executive Director, PIPS and Vice Chancellor, FJWU exchanged institutional mementoes and reiterated the commitment to continue their cooperation to strengthen parliamentary culture in the Country.

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 and Fatima Jinnah Women University sign MoU to promote Academic and Research Linkages.

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