PIPS Democracy Day Seminar on Constitution, Parliament & Nation Building for Young Leaders Parliament

September 10, 2025 SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services held a one-day seminar on Constitution, Parliament and Nation Building, to celebrate democracy day on Wednesday Sept 10, 2025. The event began with a national anthem followed by recitation of holy Quran. Ms. Fakiha Mahmood, Deputy Director (Research) moderated the event. Mr Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director PIPS, speaking on the occasion encouraged 85 members of the young leaders Parliament, to work hard and learn democratic values of tolerance, human rights for all especially service to humanity.

Mr. Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director, PIPS welcomed the participants and thanked Chief Guest Honorable Senator Mirza Muhammad Ali Afridi for gracing the occasion with his presence. He underscored the significance of the event especially in the context of young leaders who have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of democratic institutions. He encouraged young leaders to develop a meaningful purpose of life in order to secure a progressive future for the country. He urged them to carefully observe the key principles of our constitution that teach us magnanimity and patience in the face of dissenting voices. He also forewarned them about the multifaceted challenges that the young leaders are to confront including the frictions in global politics, climate change, and structural challenges.

Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi being Guest of Honour eulogised team PIPS for holding such an inspiring seminar at a short notice. He called upon youth to always reflect love for their country as Pakistan is a blessing of God for all of us and we need to voluntarily prepare to serve and lead it. He expressed sorrow over the destruction caused by recent flooding and cautioned about the grave consequences of climate change especially in the context of food security, if swift actions are not taken. He deplored how our agriculture land is deteriorating due to climate change and stressed the need for mapping and zooming for optimal agricultural productivity.

Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research), PIPS conducted a two hour insightful sesssion on the constitution, its salient features and the working of the Parliament. He apprised the participants about the significance of constitution as a social contract between the state and its people. Drawing insights from history, he informed how the founding father of the Nation ‘Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’ envisioned a onstitution that reflected inclusivity. He highlighted the rights of the citizens under the constitution while also underlining the duties that citizens owe to the state. He informed the participants about the devolution of power and the distribution of resources under NFC among the federating units. Mr. Abdul Nabi Solangi, Deputy Director (Legislation) briefed the participants about the legislative process and services. He shared different types of legislative instruments such as bills acts and ordinances.

In a dedicated Question & Answer session the participants engaged with the speakers various constitutional provisions and the significance of parliamentary democracy. Their queries reflected keen interest and a desire to gain a deeper understanding of parliamentary affairs. Mr. Zaka, emphasized that the youth of the country must embrace and practice the democratic principle of “agreeing to disagree,” a value upheld by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Mr. Navid Ahmed, President YLP expressed his sincere gratitude to the PIPS team for organizing a memorable seminar. He noted that such initiatives not only broaden their understanding but also provide useful insights into how parliament functions. He further acknowledged that every visit of their delegations to PIPS proves to be a rich source of knowledge and learning, leaving a lasting impact on the participants as PIPS is really a centre of excellence. Mr. Asim Khan Goraya presented a set of PIPS Publications to chief guest while YLP presented shields to Honourable Senator Mirza Muhammad Afridi and the Executive Director, PIPS Mr. Asim Khan Goraya followed by a group photo. The session concluded with the one voice slogan – PAKISTAN ZINDABAD! Ms. Fakiha Mahmood, Deputy Director (Research) and Ms. Kulsum Wazeer Assistant Director (Legislation) moderated the event.

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 Democracy Day Seminar on Constitution, Parliament & Nation Building for Young Leaders Parliament

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