Workshop on Legislative Assessment Process for the Officers of the National Assembly & Senate Secretariat, August 30-31, 2023

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in collaboration with Mustehkam Parlimaan (MuP) organized a workshop on Legislative Assessment Process for the officers of the National Assembly and Senate Secretariat at PIPS campus, Islamabad from August 30 – 31, 2023. A total number of thirty officers attended the workshop. The purpose of this workshop was to enhance the understanding of officers in carrying out their duties effectively while assisting members of the Parliament in legislative business and Committees and strengthen their existing knowledge on legislative assessment process. Moreover, to enable them assist members in reviewing and analysing legislation and developing an understanding of the best international practices.

The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Ms. Bushra Ali, Assistant Director PDP, PIPS gave programme overview and invited Ms. Nadia Batool, Legislative Advisor, MuP for her opening remarks. Ms. Batool welcomed the participants on behalf of MuP project and briefed about the project. She appreciated the efforts of D. G. PDP & C, Ms. Samer Awais as well as the Facilitator of the workshop Mr. Mohsin Abbas Syed for planning, designing and execution of the workshop. Moreover, she stressed on active participation in order to maximize their learning. She emphasized on utilizing and practicing the learning outcomes in their day to day routine to perform their tasks more effectively.

The Executive Director, PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Anwar welcomed the participants on behalf of the Institute. He spoke about the significance and benefits of the programme and briefed the participants about the mandate and functions of the PIPS. He highlighted that the training of the government officers viz a viz parliamentary business had also been added to the mandate of the PIPS as it would enhance the working of the legislators more effectively. Mr. Anwar acknowledged the expertise of the participants in their concerned departments and encouraged active interaction with the subject expert as well as fellow participants as it would enhance their knowledge as Secretary Committees.

The Senior Legislative Consultant, Mr. Mohsin Abbas Syed (Facilitator) then took the floor to formally begin the two-day workshop. He briefly introduced the theme which included: Fundamentals of Legislative Assessment; understanding the form of a bill and bill assessment for effective implementation. Methodology included desk base research, presentations by the participants practicum and feedback. For day two, the topics to be covered were Assessing Legislative Sentences followed by an exercise. And lastly Assessing Bill for Effective Implementation.

The programme concluded on August 31, 2023 with certificate distribution amongst the participants by Ms. Margie Cook, Team Lead Mustehkam Parlimaan and vote of thanks by Ms. Samer Awais, Director General (PDP & C), PIPS.

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 on Legislative Assessment Process for the Officers of the National Assembly & Senate Secretariat, August 30-31, 2023

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