Pre-Promotion Training Course for Officers of the National Assembly Secretariat at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).

September 22, 2025 COURSES

The Pre-Promotion Training Course for Officers of the National Assembly Secretariat took place from 22nd to 29th September 2025 at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Islamabad. A total of 20 officers (Superintendents and Section Officers) participated in this mandatory program designed to build their professional competence, efficiency, and understanding of service laws, communication skills, parliamentary practices, and the use of modern tools such as E-Office and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The course began on Monday, 22nd September 2025 with the inaugural session moderated by Mr. Taj Muhammad, Director (PDP). The opening included the recitation of the Holy Quran by Qari Anees ur Rehman and welcome remarks by Syed Zain Gillani, Director General (PDP & C), who conveyed greetings on behalf of the Executive Director PIPS and shared the objectives of the training. On the first day, Dr. Mohay Ud Din Khan, Assistant Professor, conducted sessions on Effective Reading and Writing Skills and Effective Writing Strategies, focusing on drafting techniques, grammar, tense usage, and achieving precision in official writing.

On Tuesday, 23rd September 2025, the sessions continued with Dr. Mohay Ud Din Khan, who further elaborated on Effective Writing Strategies. Later, Muhammad Wajahat Saeed, Manager Implementation E-Office at the National Information Technology Board (NITB), delivered a practical session on the E-Office system, equipping participants with knowledge to transition towards digital documentation and paperless workflows.

The third day, Wednesday, 24th September 2025, was dedicated to Minutes Writing and Practicum under the guidance of Mr. Iftikhar Ullah Babar, Former Secretary, Senate Secretariat. Participants learned techniques of precise and structured minutes drafting and engaged in a hands-on exercise to apply these skills in practical scenarios.

On Thursday, 25th September 2025, Mr. Inayat Shah, Consultant, led sessions on Noting and Drafting, where the importance of effective file noting, proper drafting style, and clarity in communication within parliamentary business was highlighted.

The fifth day, Friday, 26th September 2025, began with a detailed session on Service Laws conducted by Mr. Muhammad Farooq, Deputy Secretary, National Assembly Secretariat. He discussed key regulations including the Civil Servants Rules, Revised Leave Rules, Secretariat Employees Act, and related service regulations. Later, Mr. Muhammad Ghiyas, Deputy Secretary, National Assembly Secretariat, spoke on Office Procedures, explaining the receipt and distribution of papers, diarizing, disposal of records, opening of files, and handling of gazette notifications.

Finally, on Monday, 29th September 2025, Dr. Ali Raza, Senior Principal Technologist at Code for Pakistan, conducted an engaging session on Emerging Trends in Office Work and the Use of Artificial Intelligence, focusing on the integration of digital innovations in parliamentary practices.

In conclusion, this week-long training program successfully combined traditional parliamentary practices with modern technology, enabling officers to strengthen their expertise in communication, service rules, and office management while preparing them to embrace digital solutions and AI-driven practices in their future 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.

Pre-Promotion Training Course for Officers of the National Assembly Secretariat at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).

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