Seminar on Youth and Parliament with CPA MPs from UK

March 8, 2022 MEMBERS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in collaboration with the National Assembly of Pakistan organized a Seminar on Youth and Parliament at Beacon house School System Margalla Campus Islamabad on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. The Seminar was organized in relation to the visit high-level Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) delegation to Pakistan on the invitation of Hon Speaker NA Mr Asad Qaiser/ President PIPS BoG. The two members’ delegation currently visiting Pakistan was led by Acting Chair of the CPA, H.E. Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP UK House of Commons and Secretary General, H.E. Mr. Stephen Twigg, former UK Member of the Parliament.

H.E. Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger has been the Member of UK House of Commons since June 2001. He was elected as Vice-Chairperson of CPA in March 2021 and became Acting Chairperson in April 2021. This is the first visit of the incumbent Secretary General CPA, H.E. Mr. Stephen Twigg, to Pakistan since assuming office on August 01, 2020. A former Member of UK Parliament, Mr. Stephen has held Parliamentary portfolios from 1997 to 2005 and from 2010 to 2019.

The Principal of Beacon House College Programme Margalla Campus, Ms Ayesha Ansar welcomed the delegates as Head Girl and Head Boy of the College presented flower bouquets to the delegation. The event which began with the recitation of verses from Holy Quran along with English translation, was attended by around sixty (60) students enrolled in A-Level as well as IB courses as well as 10 members of the Beacon House Senior Campus faculty and staff in addition to National Assembly IPR wing and PIPS team. Ms. Ayesha Ansar, Principal Beacon House Margalla Campus, presented welcome remarks. She termed the interaction highly beneficial which will enable the students to unlock their full potential viz a viz leadership traits and social service. Secretary General CPA, H.E. Mr. Stephen Twigg, introduced the aims and objectives of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), which plays instrumental role in bringing together Parliaments across the Commonwealth including national as well as sub-national legislatures. He also highlighted the significance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on issues like health, education, climate change etc.

The Chief Guest of the Day, Acting Chairperson CPA, H.E. Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP from the UK House of Commons, emphasized the importance of individual determination for bringing social change. He encouraged the young people to establish career in politics. He also invited the participants to visit the United Kingdom and more specifically the House of Commons for better understanding of politics and parliamentary traditions. A highly interactive questions and answers session followed the keynote speeches in which students raised highly pertinent questions regarding politics, development and gender equality etc.

On behalf of Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research), presented vote of thanks. He dedicated the event which coincided with the International Day of Women to the sister of founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mohtarama Fatima Jinnah who played instrumental role in mobilizing the Indian women for the cause of Pakistan. The event ended with the presentation of souvenirs and group photo. He narrated an anecdote on how the First Constituent Assembly of Pakistan (National Parliament) gave the title of the Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as the founding father’s 39 years of parliamentary life remained manifestation of “Live and Let Live,” human rights and social justice for all especially the poor and the minorities and always respecting everyone’s point of view following the maxi “WE AGREE TO DISAGREE,” as essence of democracy. The seminar conclude with the slogan of Long Live PAK-UK Friendship and Pakistan Zindabad!

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 Youth and Parliament with CPA MPs from UK

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