Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services organized a two week training course on “Parliamentary Protocol and Social Graces” from 5th-15th July 2021 at PIPS Campus Islamabad. Participants of the workshop included officers and officials of the Protocol wing of the Senate Secretariat. Key objectives of the workshop was to enable skills of protocol staff in understanding the importance of Protocol and mannerism in dealing with visiting dignitaries, International parliamentary delegations; and to facilitate them in improving their understanding of contemporary protocol practices.
The event commenced with the recitation of Holy Quran. Director General, Parliamentary Development Program, Ms. Samer Awais conducted a brief round of introductions with the participants and apprised them on outlay of the course. The course design comprised of modules on personal, social and diplomatic competencies.
She then invited Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Anwar Mehmood for welcome remarks, who familiarized the participants with the working of the Senate. Mr. Anwar, given his extensive understanding of Senate, explained the organizational structure of the Senate Secretariat and respective responsibilities of various departments and wings.
Honourable Senator Mushahid Hussain graced the occasion as keynote speaker for the opening session. With his vast international experience as a Minister and Parliamentarian, Hon’ Senator explained the sociology involved behind the practice of Parliamentary protocol. He discussed at length five essential C’s of Protocol including confidence, communication, competence, coordination and crisis management that would determine skill of an officer. While narrating his international experiences, he identified challenges that needed to be addressed with reference to current protocol practice in Parliamentary and Diplomatic circles in Pakistan.
Ms. Samer Awais DG PDP & C conducted a group activity through engaging participants by asking them to share their own success and failure stories in protocol duties. The activity was conducted to enable participants link situations/challenges in their professional lives with competencies required in Protocol, and boost their confidence. Mr. Tariq Bin Waheed, Director General Protocol Senate Secretariat spoke about Order of Precedence Passport/ Visa Handling flag and high Profile Etiquette. He concluded the session with discussing mannerism involved in dealing with high profile etiquette such as placement of flags and seating of guests.