Workshop for Honorable Committee Chairpersons on ‘Leadership Excellence in Parliamentary Committees.

February 2, 2017 MEMBERS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

A two-day workshop jointly organized by Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services & Westminster Foundation for Democracy commenced at Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services. The objective of the workshop is to enable participants with better understanding of Parliamentary Committees & improved understanding of the business of the house especially focusing on best practices in the Committee system. Executive Director PIPS Zafarullah Khan shared the welcome remarks & hoped that it would be a mutual learning activity in which everyone will benefit from each province’s experience. Country Director Westminster Foundation for Democracy Ali Imran also greeted the participants & shared the work his foundation has previously done in the same domain. Senator Farhatullah Babar was the Chief Speaker in the inauguration session in which he thoroughly talked about Improving Parliamentary Performance through Committee Oversight. The participants shared their aspirations & desired outcome of the workshop and depicted their commitment to it. PIPS Director Research and IT Mr Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka and Ms Rabea Anwer JS Senate conducted an interactive session on PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES and PUBLIC HEARINGS – Concept and Best Practices. On second morning, Mr Zaka conducted a group activity on identifying challenges, best practice and way forward to bring Rules of Procedures more helpful towards more authority and oversight of Executive. Ms Samer Awais Dir Training moderated the proceedings and Mr Zafarullah Khan Executive Director PIPS presented Vote of Thanks to all Members attending the workshop. The session concluded on February 03, 2017.

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.

Workshop for Honorable Committee Chairpersons on ‘Leadership Excellence in Parliamentary Committees.

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