Professional Development Training Programme for APS/Stenotypists of the Senate Secretariat

August 3, 2026 Training

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) formally commenced the Six-Week Professional Development Training Programme for the Officials (APS/Stenotypists) of the Senate Secretariat with an inaugural session held at PIPS, Islamabad. The programme is designed to strengthen the professional, technical, and digital competencies of APS/Stenotypists serving in the Senate Secretariat.

The opening session began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome address and programme overview delivered by Ms. Maryam Ahsan, Deputy Director (PDP), PIPS. She briefed the participants on the objectives, methodology, assessment framework, and expected learning outcomes of the six-week training programme.

During the first session, Mr. Muhammad Ismail and Mr. Nadeem Khan, instructors from the Secretariat Training Institute, Government of Pakistan, conducted a Typing-cum-Shorthand Assessment to evaluate the participants’ baseline proficiency. They also provided valuable guidance on improving typing speed, shorthand accuracy, and transcription skills, which will be further enhanced throughout the training programme.

In the second session, Mr. Muhammad Nazir, Director General (IT), PIPS, along with his team, conducted a pre-assessment test on Microsoft Office applications, including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint, to assess the participants’ existing digital skills and identify areas requiring further development.

According to the approved training schedule, the programme will continue from 3 August to 11 September 2026. The curriculum includes English shorthand and typing practice, parliamentary office management, workplace communication, official correspondence and records management, Microsoft Office applications, Artificial Intelligence for office productivity, E-Office, cybersecurity, and a comprehensive final assessment.

The programme reflects PIPS’ continued commitment to building the institutional capacity of parliamentary officials by equipping them with administrative, technical, and digital skills necessary for efficient and effective parliamentary service delivery.

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.

Professional Development Training Programme for APS/Stenotypists of the Senate Secretariat

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