Seminar on Working of the Parliament for the students of the Bahria University Islamabad, 11th January, 2023

CIVIL SERVANTS, CIVIL SOCIETY, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

The Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) organised a one day seminar on the working of the Parliament for the students of the Bahria University Islamabad on 11^th January,2023 at PIPS campus Islamabad. This outreach event was designed with the objective to familiarize and acquaint the students of the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, Bahria University, with basic understanding of the Constitution of Pakistan and efforts of National Parliamentary Taskforce on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) towards achieving the targets of Goal 13 of SDGs i.e combating climate change and its impacts.

Mr. Waqas Ahmad Qureshi, Director, Parliamentary Development Programme (PDP), gave an overview of the Institute in the inaugral session after the introduction of the participants. This was followed by a session on The Constitution of Pakistan; Asocial contract between citizens and the state by Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General, Research, PIPS. He said constitution is a social contract between people and the state and shed light on different chapters of the constitution along with the importance given to the Parliament and human rights in our constitution. He also told the students that Pakistan is one that eight countries who play a key role in drafting United Nations’ Human Right Declaration in 1948.

Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, SAPM/Minister of State and Convener National SDGs Taskforce, Member National Assembly of Pakistan held an interactive session with the participants on the topic “Efforts of the National Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs, in Combating Climate Change and its Impact in Pakistan”. She highlighted the working of the SDGs secretariat and role of the Taskforce on SDGs.

Ms. Samer Awais, Director General, Parliamentary Development Programme & Coordination (PDP&C), PIPS, discussed the working of the Parliament and share competence management process in his session on “How does the Parliament work: Core Competencies”. The event concluded with the awarding of Certificates to the Participants by the worthy Executive Director, PIPS. In his closing remarks, he highlightened the use of public petition through which common man easily approach the august house.

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.

Seminar on Working of the Parliament for the students of the Bahria University Islamabad, 11th January, 2023

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