TRAINING COURSE ON PARLIAMENTARY PROTOCOL AND SOCIAL GRACES

July 5, 2021 COURSES, FUNCTIONARIES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services organized a two week training course on “Parliamentary Protocol and Social Graces” from 5^th-15^th 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.

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.

TRAINING COURSE ON PARLIAMENTARY PROTOCOL AND SOCIAL GRACES

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