Workshop on Parliamentary Business for 2nd Batch of Members from Gilgit Baltistan.

January 26, 2016 MEMBERS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

With the aim to equip the Honorable new Members of the Legislative Assembly of Gilgit Baltistan with the functioning of the Assembly concerning its Legislative and Non Legislative Business, and Functioning of Committees, Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, in collaboration with AKRSP’s EELY project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), commenced an orientation workshop for the second batch comprising of 17 MLAs and 3 Secretariat Officials from the Legislative Assembly of Gilgit Baltistan. Honorable Speaker Legislative Assembly of Gilgit Baltistan, Fida Muhammad Nashad, graced the inaugural session of the workshop as chief guest. The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by opening remarks by the Executive Director PIPS, Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka. The proceedings of day one were led by Mr. Sohail Ahmad Ansari, Legal Consultant. During the session the participants went through the whole legislative process, from the initiation of a Bill to the passing of an Act. As the workshop proceeds, the participants will be given presentations on the pertinent topics including: role of member of Parliament, non-legislative business-oversight tools, minutes and report writing, introduction to budgetary process, CPEC-issues and way forward, and committee business-Legislative Assembly of Gilgit Baltistan. Seasoned professionals and eminent personalities including, Ms. Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak MNA, Mr. Iftikhar Ullah Babar, Mr. Masood Khan as well as PIPS faculty is likely to deliberate on the subjects. Participants will be given certificates during the closing ceremony to be held on January 29, 2016.

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 Parliamentary Business for 2nd Batch of Members from Gilgit Baltistan.

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