PIPS held four-hour training sessions on Constitutionalism and Effective Parliament on Dec  1st from 9:30 am to 01:30 pm for 52 probationary officers belonging to the Pakistan Administrative Services attending as participant-delegates of 48th Special Training Program (STP) by Civil Services Academy Lahore. Mr. Tanzil Ur Rahman, Assistant Director (Research) moderated this interactive session. Before formal beginning of the Programme, national anthem was played followed by recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Qari Anis ur Rehman.  

Mr. Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director, PIPS delivered welcome remarks as the session formally began. He addressed the newly inducted officers of the Pakistan Administrative Service, emphasizing the significance of close coordination between the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary. He cited the practices in established democracies to point out that effective governance depends not only on institutional independence but also on respect for constitutional roles and cooperative functioning. He underscored that civil servants can map out policies more effectively if they comprehend parliamentary procedures, including committee oversight, budget scrutiny, lawmaking, and accountability procedures. He reiterated PIPS’ dedication to inter-institutional cooperation while highlighting professionalism, merit, and service to citizens as fundamental public values. He also expressed hope that the engagement would deepen participants’ understanding of legislative functioning and their role in bridging policy with implementation.

Mr. Mir Shai Mazar Baloch, Director General (Administration), PIPS briefly provided the historical overview about the evolution of parliament and the need for parliamentary research institutions across the world. He emphasized that it is the parliament that has to deliver and for its effective functioning, its members must be equipped with well-researched data. He apprised the participants that PIPS being a premier institute dedicated to parliamentary research was established through an act of the parliament in 2008. He briefly explained the structure of PIPS and its functioning including the composition of Board of Governors as being the supreme body wielding executive powers. He shared some glimpses of PIPS performance by providing statistics that demonstrate the institute’s accomplishments in the domain of legislative research and parliamentary development.  

In a session on the salient features of the Constitution and Working of the Parliament, Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research) PIPS, explained in simplistic terms the constitution and state. He also elaborated the rights of citizens enshrined in the constitutions and the responsibilities that they owe to the state. He explained how Pakistan’s Parliament operates as a bicameral institution through the National Assembly and Senate. He briefed participants on Parliament’s main responsibilities, including making laws, representing public concerns, overseeing government performance, and reviewing the national budget. He described how laws are passed, how constitutional amendments are approved, and how parliamentary committees review expenditures, policies, and administrative actions. Mr. Zaka also highlighted basic democratic values such as participation, accountability, equality and respect for the Constitution, while reminding that civil servants must work with neutrality, responsibility and service to citizens for stronger governance.

During the Question-and-Answer session, participants engaged actively by raising queries related to lawmaking, parliamentary procedures, and the technical assistance PIPS provides to federal and provincial legislatures.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks from the Civil Services Academy, appreciating the management of PIPS for organizing a highly informative and insightful program.