ROLE OF PARLIAMENT IN FOREIGN POLICY FORMULATION OF PAKISTAN (2013-18)

UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

Department of Political Science & International Relations

By: RABIA SHAFQAT

Supervised By: Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq

Academic Level: MPhil

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Abstract

In a democratic setting Parliament as institution of public represented public and public interests, performed an active role in reviewing and formulation of foreign policy. Before the development of democracy it was function of diplomats and the solders but in democracy the executives are responsible to public and they exercise their power through elected institution of parliament. Relations with other states could not be expanded without the collaboration of individual, institutions, and states. The role of Parliament is very important because it is an elected institution of public. The government and opposition possess their own position in parliament. Being a public institution parliament fulfill its duties accurately. Civil and armed forces persuade this institution in different circumstances for their own interests. Parliament some time plays its own role and some time it work under pressure of rulers. If the institution of parliament is strong, it can perform its role accurately, and can ensure the rule of law in making the country stable. Individual and states makes a country invincible with their collaboration. The parliament can debate the foreign policy and can perform a very active role in foreign policy formulation. Parliament got information from the executive branch related to foreign policy and it also provides the guiding principles for the handling of foreign policy. Those guiding principles are different in its nature. The institution of parliament has not only mange the foreign policy formulation process not mismanaged it. It is an important study that endeavor and highlight the function of parliament in foreign policy formulation process during the third term of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

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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.