Public Hearing on Proposed Bill to set up Anti-Plagiarism System.

November 23, 2016 OTHERS, OUTREACH, PUBLIC HEARING

A consultative Public Hearing was organized by Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary services on a proposed bill to discourage plagiarism & malpractices in academic research. The proposed bill titled “The Prevention of Mal-practices in Academia Act, 2016” was set open for consultations & recommendations which resulted in a pool of knowledge & recommendations.

The mover of the proposed bill was Honorable Member National Assembly, Ms. Shakila Luqman who highlighted the need & importance to bring legislation to discourage such practices. She further emphasized on the importance of research culture and dire need to focus on originality. The Executive Director Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services Mr. Zafarullah Khan welcomed the participants of the hearing and shared his point of view on the proposed bill. Sharing his view, Mr. Zafarullah Khan said that public hearing is a new notion in the parliamentary cycle of Pakistan, which is an appreciable trend to allow stakeholder analysis and transparency. He hoped that the new trend will effectively contribute to the knowledge economy of Pakistan.

Other speakers of the hearing were Dr. Farkhanda Zia (International Islamic University), Mr. Mohammad Ismail (Consultant, Higher Education Commission) & Mr. Shahzad Iqbal (American Institute of Pakistan Studies) who presented their views and ideas on the need of devising a strategy to check mal-practices in academic research and plagiarism. Quality research, Quality learning & gaps in the implementation of already available policies were stressed upon. The session ended with questions and recommendations by the participants of the hearing which included Parliamentarians, Academia & Researchers.

Honorable Member National Assembly Ms. Shakila Luqman expressed her gratitude to the team of Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services for desired facilitation in the process. Mr. Zafarullah Khan appreciated the invaluable efforts of the legislative wing of Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, in holding the absorbing public hearing.

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.

Public Hearing on Proposed Bill to set up Anti-Plagiarism System.

@ Your Service