Workshop on Parliamentary Business for Newly Elected MLAs of Gilgit Baltistan Assembly.

January 18, 2016 COURSES, MEMBERS, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

As envisioned by the Honourable President PIPS BoG Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker, National Assembly, PIPS organised a week long Workshop for the newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly of Gilgit Baltistan. Honorable Deputy Speaker Legislative Assembly of Gilgit Baltistan, Mr Jaffar Ullah Khan, 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, who also conducted an interactive session on Governance Structure of GB and role of MLAs. The four days workshop also covered key areas of Legislative and Non Legislative Business, and Functioning of Committees. Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services, in collaboration with USAID-AKRSP, commenced an orientation workshop for the first batch comprising of 16 MLAs and 3 Secretariat officers from the Legislative Assembly of Gilgit Baltistan. The proceedings of day one were led by Mr. Sohail Ahmad Ansari, Legal Consultant. As the workshop proceeded, the 19 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 including, Ambassador Mr. Masood Khan, DG Institute of Strategic Studies, Mr Iftikar Ullah Babar, former Secretary Senate, Mr Jam Muhammad Aslam, Astt.D (Law Ministry) as well as PIPS faculty comprising the Executive Director, Mr Zaka, Mr Haider Abbas (Addl Dir-Finance and focal person) and Mr Muhammad Aslam Waseem Addl Dir (legislation) keenly deliberated on above mentioned subjects. The closing ceremony was held on 21 January, 2016 in which Hon. Deputy Speaker, GB Assembly, Mr Jaffarullah Khan distributed Certificates and lauded the PIPS efforts. Mr Zaka , Acting Executive Director thanked the MLAs for their pro active participation.

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 Newly Elected MLAs of Gilgit Baltistan Assembly.

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