Visit of the Parliamentary Delegation of the People’s Majlis, Republic of Maldives to the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services

September 18, 2025 Delegation Visit

A Parliamentary Delegation of the People’s Majlis, Republic of Maldives, comprising members of Parliament Honourable Husnee Mubarak, Honourable Yoosuf Nasheed, Honourable Abdulla Shazeem, Secretary General and other high level officials of the People’s Majlis of the Republic of Maldives visited the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in Islamabad today. The delegation was accompanied by Honourable Dr. Shaista Khan, MNA, Convener of the Pakistan–Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG).
Mr. Asim Khan Goraya, Executive Director PIPS, warmly welcomed the delegation on bahalf of Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani President PIPS BoG and Chairman Senate. In his remarks, he emphasized that the ties between Pakistan and the Maldives are rooted in mutual respect and a shared commitment to democracy. He highlighted that parliaments of both countries mirror the aspirations of their people and, through institutions like PIPS, continue to strengthen their capacity to legislate effectively, ensure executive oversight, and represent citizens in an evolving world.
Introducing PIPS, Mr. Goraya explained that the Institute was envisioned as a dedicated research, training, and legislative development facility for the Parliament of Pakistan, and has since evolved into a recognized centre of parliamentary excellence, providing services to parliamentarians at the federal and provincial level. He noted that the visit provided an opportunity to exchange experiences, share best practices, and explore avenues for future cooperation in promoting good governance, inclusivity, and sustainable development.

Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research), delivered a detailed presentation on the structure, mandate, and achievements of PIPS. He informed the delegation that the Institute is governed by a high-powered, cross-party Board of Governors, and has earned recognition as an international parliamentary seat of excellence by multiple global forums. UK Parliament placed PIPS in top tier of Parliamentary Research Mechanisms due to excellent services in last five years as compared with similar institutions in 183 countries. He informed institute has held more than 425 trainings and served 2000 plus researches to MPs, committees and caucus in addition to introducing Parliamentary studies in 17 universities as envisioned by Hon Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Speaker NA. Since 2019 institute hosted numerous international conferences and trainings of MPs and staff from Turkiye, Cambodia, and Zambia.

In his concluding remarks, H.E. Mr. Husnee Mubarak Member Majlis of Maldives, on behalf of Hon Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Speaker of the People’s Majlis, expressed gratitude to PIPS for the warm hospitality and insightful exchanges, terming the visit a valuable opportunity for enhanced parliamentary cooperation between the Maldives and Pakistan.

The MPs acknowledged PIPS as globally recognised seat of Parliamentary learning that can hold customised capacity building programs for MPs and staffers of Majlis of Maldives. Hon Dr Shaista Khan MNA reiterated that PIPS held absorbing sessions of budget and economy that are very useful and we look forward to hold youth sessions at the Institute utilising platform of Pak Maldives Friendship Group. Mr Asim Khan Goraya ED PIPS presented institute momento to Head of delegation and sets of PIPS publications to all worthy delegates. Event concluded with a group photo.

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.

Visit of the Parliamentary Delegation of the People’s Majlis, Republic of Maldives to the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services

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