Senate of Pakistan Training of 46 Interns from 8 Leading Universities of Twin Cities.

February 12, 2016 OTHERS, OUTREACH, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

The Honourable Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Mian Raza Rabbani, inaugurated the ceremony of commencement of Senate Internship Programmes for 6 months engaging around 46 students across various disciplines from eight leading universities. Honourable Mian Raza Rabbani termed the internship programme an unprecedented and historic initiative which will not only enhance the outreach of Parliament towards the people and in fact the future decision makers of the country. The Leader of the Senate Raja Zafar Ul Haq and Secretary Senate Secretariat Mr Amjad Pervez Malik also spoke on the occasion and expressed the hope that students from Air University, PIDE, IIUI, NUML, NUST, NDU, QAU and Ripah University will prove work hard in different tasks to assist the Senate in providing quality services to honourable Members. The ceremony also kicked off 10 days trainings on interns where PIPS held five sessions for newly inducted 46 interns. Mr Haris Rehman was Master of Ceremony on Feb., 1, 2016 and presented vote of thanks to the Honouarble Chairman Senate, Leaders of the House, distinguished guests, Senate Standing Committee Chairpersons and interns. On Day one Mr Muhammad Aslam Waseem, Additional Dir (legislation) made a presentation on Role and Working of Parliament followed by Q and A session. Mr Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Acting Executive Director/ Director Research and IT conducted an interactive session on Parliamentary Interpersonal Skills emphasizing core values of Non Partisanship, Professionalism, Anticipation, Accessibility and Integrity with optimum communication skills. An absorbing session with Honourable Senators Mushahid Hussain and Ms Nuzhat Sadiq, Chairpersons, Senate Standing Committees on Defence and Foreign Affairs also took place, which saw pro-active participation by all students who asked questions on matters of national importance. The PIPS Executive Director conducted proceedings and presented Vote of Thanks for the Honourable Senators. The training will culminate in second week of January, 2016.

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.

Senate of Pakistan Training of 46 Interns from 8 Leading Universities of Twin Cities.

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