Commemorating 79th Independence Day (August 1947-2026), PIPS enthralling Seminar on Inculcating Parliamentary Excellence. 11th August, 2026 (Minorities Day)

August 11, 2026 OUTREACH, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) hosted an enthralling Seminar on “Parliamentary System of Pakistan & the Role of PIPS in Inculcating Leadership” for more than 50 participants including 26 faculty and students from the COMSATS University LeaderSHIFT Program, Attock Campus, as well as bachelors program student delegates from Kinnaird College Lahore, GCU Lahore, Punjab University, NUML, AJK university, GCU Faisalabad, Federal Urdu University, Islamabad, and Islamia University, Bahawalpur and University of Haripur, on 11 August 2026 at PIPS Main Campus, Islamabad.

The program, held in connection with the 79th Independence Day of Pakistan, and the National Minorities Day, commenced with the National Anthem of Pakistan. Dr. Rana Jimshaid Asghar, Assistant Director (Research), PIPS, moderated the session, which was commenced by recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Qari Anees-ur-Rehman. Dr Rana Jimshed Asghar welcomed guests on behalf of PIPS leadership and team while highlighting the leadership legacy of founding fathers of Pakistan especially Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s concept of the Shaheen, linking these ideals with youth leadership and the objectives of the LeaderSHIFT Program.

Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research) and a founding member of PIPS, delivered the core interactive address on Pakistan’s parliamentary system and the role of PIPS in providing Technical assistance for inculcating Parliamentary Excellence. In line with the theme of the session, he also highlighted the exemplary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, particularly identifying nine key leadership traits and principles that continue to offer invaluable lessons for the youth. Mr Zaka referred to real life examples from parliamentary life of the Quaid e Azam spread over 39 years as to how he unwavering embodied democratic rule of law, honesty, avoidance of conflict of interest, safeguarding rights of people especially poor and vulnerable; carried enormous affection for youth as agents of excellence in leadership.

Director General (Research) also emphasized that Pakistan’s ideology of setting up a welfare democratic state is based on 23^rd March 1940 Pakistan Resolution that earmarked that “Adequate, effective and mandatory safeguards shall be specially provided in the Constitution for minorities in above mentioned units and regions for protection of their religions, cultural, economic, political, administrative and other rights and interests in consultation with them.” He eulogized the excellent contributions of non muslims in country’s progress in education, health and prosperity. Mr. Zaka also shared Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal’s firm belief on Quaid e Azam being an extra ordinary leader who remained man of high integrity and unpurchaseable viz a viz his ideals of winning the biggest Islamic state of Pakistan. Director General Research also deliberated that Pakistan was created as a welfare democracy endeavouring to ensure equality, justice, protection of life, property and faith of all individuals for contributing in international peace and happiness.

The Session also included an interactive activity of a case study from PIPS Youth Guide – Discover the Parliament of Pakistan; pro-actively attended by all faculty members and students on Knowing the Core Values of Constitution and its nature, i.e Welfare, Islamic, Parliamentary Democracy, Federalism and Independence of Judiciary. In the last session, an interactive Q&A session followed that was led by PIPS DG (Research) and his team comprising Ms Fakiha Mahmood Deputy Director (Research) and Dr Jimshed Asghar AD (Research), providing participants with an opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion on parliamentary institutions, democratic processes, and excellence in leadership.

Dr. Muhammad Fahad, Assistant Professor of Computer Sciences, COMSATS University Attock Campus and their Head of Delegation, presented the Vote of Thanks, who appreciated that Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) is undoubtedly an internationally recognized seat of parliamentary learning that held a comprehensive session inspiring every participant as a proud Pakistan. He eulogized that enormous hard work and passion of the team PIPS remains evident in their professional contributions in research and training par excellence doing a remarkable job inculcating leadership and serving technical expertise to elected representatives of Pakistan. He expressed his gratitude to PIPS and its team Research for providing the participants with an enthralling highly passionate and insightful session on Constitution, Parliament and Leadership. The session concluded with presentation of PIPS publication to faculty and a group photograph.

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.

Commemorating 79th Independence Day (August 1947-2026), PIPS enthralling Seminar on Inculcating Parliamentary Excellence. 11th August, 2026 (Minorities Day)

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