Workshop on Parliamentary Protocol & Social Graces for the Protocol officers of the Punjab Assembly Secretariat

January 10, 2025 CIVIL SERVANTS, COURSES, FUNCTIONARIES, SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services organized a four-day training covering the theme “Parliamentary Protocol and Social Graces” for the officers of the Punjab Assembly Secretariat from January 7^th to 10^th, 2025 at the PIPS, Islamabad. The workshop was attended by ten (10) protocol officers from the Provincial Assembly of Punjab. The workshop aimed at enabling participants to understand the importance of protocol and mannerism in dealing with dignitaries and international parliamentary delegations, and develop orientation towards security challenges while accompanying protocol movements.

Qari Anees ur Rehman commenced the programme by reciting the verses of the holy Quran, Ms. Mariam Ahsan Deputy Director (PDP) gave a brief overview of the workshop followed by the round of introduction of the participants. She then invited Ms. Samer Awais Director General (PDP & C) for welcome remarks. She welcomed the participants to the workshop, shared insights from her professional experience and elaborated the significance of Parliamentary Protocol. She further explained that the training had been carefully designed to enhance the officer’s professional skills for their upcoming responsibilities.

Mr. Tariq Bin Waheed Senior Director General (Protocol) from Senate Secretariat facilitated the session on knowledge sharing regarding protocol. Protocol is a set of rules or procedure that govern the behavior in formal situation. The facilitator mentioned that how efficiently he managed all operational and organizational aspects contributing to the success of the event. Moreover, he shared about handling the complexities of receiving international delegates from diverse background.

The training spanned a period of four days covering major parliamentary domains that included Parliamentary protocol, personal, social, dining and meeting etiquettes, Interpersonal Skills by engaging the seasoned secretariat leadership/functionaries and ambassadors to share their valued experiences so that participants could benefit from their experience and gain guidance.

The training concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Samer Awais, Director General (PDP & C) extended her sincere thanks to all the participants for their active engagement and dedication throughout this course. Your enthusiasm and commitment to learning have made this session truly enriching. We wish you all the best in applying the knowledge gained and look forward to your continued success.

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 Protocol & Social Graces for the Protocol officers of the Punjab Assembly Secretariat

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