Third Annual Seminar on National Constitution Day.

April 12, 2016 OTHERS, OUTREACH, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Commemorating the 43rd National Constitution Day, Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, in collaboration with KAS, organized “Seminar on National Constitution Day.” Honorable Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed was the Guest of Honor for the one-day seminar which was attended by jam packed Auditorium with 165 participants including Members of the Parliament, faculty members and students from ten reputed universities: Quaid e Azam University, Islamabad, Air University, Bahria University, COMSATS, Preston University, Iqra University, PIDE, FJWU, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, NDU, and CUST as well as media representatives. The seminar began with the National Anthem followed by recitation from Holy Quran. In his Welcome Remarks the Acting Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka highlighted that the event brings together youth and honorable parliamentarians together to highlight and celebrate our consensus Constitution which is a source of unity, mutual tolerance, peace and prosperity among all citizens.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed paid rich tribute to the pioneers of the Constitution and said that it “unites the federation of Pakistan on fundamental principles which are commonly agreed upon through a consensus based on thorough consultation of all the provinces and political parties.” He also remembered the founder of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as a constitutionalist and a parliamentarian who spoke up for the rights of the women, youth, and for the rights of the oppressed. Seminar invited panelists included Senator Mushahid Hussain, Senator Saeed Ghani, MNAs Dr Arif Alvi, youngest MNA Ms Shaza Fatimah Khawaja and Mr Muhammad Uzaid Malik.

MNA Malik Muhammad Uzair Khan underscored the initiatives taken by the government as well as the parliament to create economic opportunities and reach out to the young population of the country. Ms. Shaza Fatima, MNA and General Secretary and Member of Young Parliamentary Forum, YPF, encouraged the youth to learn and understand the Constitution of Pakistan in order to better know their rights and obligations. She also encouraged students to write to MPs directly or through PIPS and attend such activities at Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, that remains Parliament’s own state of the art research and training facility.

Honorable Member National Assembly, Dr. Arif Alvi, spoke on “Constitution and our National Aspirations.” On a historic note, he mentioned the Ten Commandments of Prophet Moses as the first ever constitution in human history. Furthermore, he pointed towards the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which finds its reflection in the preamble of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Widely quoting from the text of the Constitution Dr. Alvi highlighted the fundamental rights the Constitution guarantees to the citizens of Pakistan. It was followed a highly interactive Q & A session, in which participants raised a number of questions. The Guest of Honor, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed presented souvenirs to the Honorable Parliamentarians and the faculty of participating universities. Acting Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka thanked the participants at the end of the seminar that concluded with united slogan by the audience – 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.

Third Annual Seminar on National Constitution Day.

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