PIPS Organises Orientation Programme for Newly Elected Members of Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly

September 3, 2026 MEMBERS, ORIENTATIONS

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), in collaboration with the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), commenced a two-day Orientation Programme for Newly Elected Members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly on Thursday at PIPS, Islamabad. The programme is being held from September 3–4, 2026.

The programme is designed to familiarise newly Honourable Members with key aspects of parliamentary work, including the constitutional and governance framework of Gilgit-Baltistan, legislative procedures, Assembly business, parliamentary committees, Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, and the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in parliamentary settings.

The proceedings commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by welcome remarks by Mr Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director, PIPS. Welcoming the Honourable Members, he congratulated them on their election and highlighted the important legislative, representative and oversight responsibilities entrusted to them.

Syed Zain Gillani, Director General (PDP&C), PIPS, subsequently presented an overview of the programme, outlining its key areas and its practical focus on enabling the Honourable Members to effectively utilise parliamentary procedures and institutional mechanisms in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The first technical session, “Constitution of Pakistan and Governance Framework (Gilgit-Baltistan Governance Order, 2018)”, was facilitated by Sheikh Sarfaraz Ahmed. The session explored the constitutional and governance arrangements applicable to Gilgit-Baltistan, including its institutional structure, distribution of responsibilities and the broader legal framework within which the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly functions.

This was followed by a session on “Legislative Process – From a Bill to an Act”, conducted by Ms Rabeea Anwar, Principal Secretary to Chairman / Additional Secretary, Senate Secretariat. The session familiarised Members with the legislative process, from the introduction and consideration of a Bill to its passage and enactment.

The first day concluded with a detailed session on the Gilgit-Baltistan Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 2017, facilitated by Mr Muhammad Anwar, Parliamentary Expert, focusing on the procedural framework governing the conduct of Assembly business.

On the second day, the programme will focus on parliamentary committees, their powers, functions and role in effective oversight, with a session facilitated by Mr Iftikharullah Babar, Parliamentary Expert. Ms Rabeea Anwar will lead a session on the significance of non-legislative business, highlighting the parliamentary mechanisms available to Members to raise matters of public importance, seek information, debate government policies and hold the Executive accountable.

The programme will conclude with a session on “AI in Parliamentary Settings”, facilitated by Mr Muhammad Nazir, Director General (IT), PIPS, introducing Members to the responsible and practical use of AI for parliamentary research, information management, communication and other parliamentary functions.

Through the Orientation Programme, PIPS aims to equip newly elected Members with a practical understanding of parliamentary procedures, tools and institutional mechanisms to support them in effectively performing their legislative, representative, deliberative and oversight responsibilities.

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 Organises Orientation Programme for Newly Elected Members of Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly

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