Validation of the Minority Rights Action Plan for the Minority Cacus of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab

November 18, 2025 EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, MEMBERS, MEMBERS, OTHERS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), in collobration with Mustehkam Parlimaan (MuP) and – European Union funded project -, organized a consultative session titled “Validation of the Minority Rights Action Plan for the Minority Cacus of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab” on Tuesday 18^th November, 2025, at Avari Hotel Lahore. The session brought legislators, minority representatives, parliamentary experts, and development partners under one roof to review and finalize a practical plan for strengthening the rights and inclusion of minority communities in the Punjab.

The Session began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Mr. Taj Muhammad, Director (PDP), PIPS moderated the event. He briefly explained the purpose of the event and set the direction for the discussions ahead. Afterwards, Ms. Mary Cummins, Team Lead, IP5, delivered the opening remarks, sharing the goals of the consultation and reminding everyone why joint efforts are essential for promoting minority rights.

This was followed by welcome remarks from Ms. Brekhna Ajmal, Program Manager for Parliaments & Gender Equality at the EU Delegation. She reaffirmed the EU’s continued support for inclusive governance and protection of human rights in Pakistan.

Ms. Rahila Khadim Hussain, Member Minority Caucus & Organizer Minority Wing PML(N), and Mr. Falbous Christopher, Convener, Minority Caucus, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab shared keynote reflections. They spoke about the challenges minority communities still face and called for stronger, more responsive institutions.

This event was in continuation of the two-day workshop with the Minority Cacus in September, 2025. The main part of the program included a detailed presentation of the draft Minority Rights Action Plan by Mr. Ali Imran, Key Expert Legislative & Parliamentary Affairs, MuP. Participants actively engaged in the discussion, giving feedback and strengthening the recommendations. The conversation focused on key areas such as legal reforms, social inclusion, better coordination among institutions, and clear implementation strategies.

A practical roadmap was also discussed, outlining how the Action Plan can be implemented in the short, medium, and long term by the Punjab Assembly and relevant government departments.

The session ended on a positive note, with participants expressing a shared commitment to promoting equality, dignity, and protection for all minority communities in Punjab.

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.

Validation of the Minority Rights Action Plan for the Minority Cacus of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab

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