Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) commenced 7th National Parliamentary Development Course (NPDC) for the parliamentary functionaries in grade 17 and 18 at the PIPS Campus Islamabad on November 3, 2020.  Twenty three (23) Officers serving in the Secretariats of the National Assembly of Pakistan, the Senate, and the Provincial and Legislative Assemblies of Pakistan joined the programme. Honourable Qasim Khan Suri, Deputy Speaker, the National Assembly of Pakistan and Vice President, PIPS Board of Governors, graced the inaugural ceremony as chief guest.

The programme began with the recitation of Holy Quran by Qari Anis ur Rehman. Director General, Parliamentary Development Program & Information Technology (PDP&IT), Ms. Samer Awais, welcomed the course participants and presented an overview of the design, module and assessment methodology of the course.  She highlighted the salient features of newly developed Learning Management System (LMS), which was a step towards conservation of Parliamentary Knowledge and digitalized learning.

Her presentation was followed by formal welcome address by Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Anwar, who shared with the audience the vision of the Board of Governor to build linkages with all State Institutions from the platform of PIPS. He advised the Officers that the key to excel in the Parliamentary domain was hard work, non-partisan approach and professionalism. Mr. Anwar thanked the Honourable Deputy Speaker for his kind patronage, and encouraged the participants to stay updated on Parliamentary knowledge and practices. He emphasized on the role and duties of Parliamentary functionaries, in smoothly running the House business and in facilitating the Members of their respective Houses.

The event was formally inaugurated by Honourable Mr. Muhammad Qasim Khan Suri.  In his opening speech, he lauded PIPS for its role in strengthening the Parliament and building linkages between the Parliament, Executive and Parliamentary Services. He appreciated the Officers in the Parliamentary sector as they were part of the most important State Institution and advised them to take maximum advantage of the opportunity that had been accorded to them on the platform of NPDC. The ceremony concluded with a group photograph of the Course participants with the chief guest.