Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) organized an orientation session on working of the Parliament and functions of PIPS for youth delegates of Bargad Organization on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. The session’s agenda revolved around imparting knowledge regarding the functions and working of the Parliament, and the brief overview of PIPS services and function. Around 30 youth delegates of nationwide colleges and universities and young professionals working with different organizations attended the seminar. This diverse youth group was gathered by Bargad Organization under one of its ongoing fellowship programs. The participating students were belonged to Islamia University Bahawalpur, Government College University Lahore, BUITEMS University Quetta, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Punjab University Lahore, University of Karachi and University of Balochistan Sub-Campus Pishin.

The session commenced with the national anthem of Pakistan followed by the recitation of Holy Quran. As moderator of the session, Mr. Muhammad Rizwan Manzoor welcomed the participants and conducted a round of introductions.

Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Muhammad Anwar formally conducted a detailed session on working of the Parliament. He further explained the four key functions of the Parliament including representation of the people, legislation, oversight and accountability of the Executive and budget scrutiny, giving brief process of each role and the tools involved to perform them. He gave detailed orientation on the legislative process that how a bill is transmitted from one house to another then becomes the law after the ascent of the President. 

Mr. Muhamamd Rashid Mafzool Zaka, the Director General (Research), PIPS gave comprehensive overview on the services PIPS is giving to the National Parliament Provincial Assemblies, in shape of active research inputs and policy dialogues for informed decision making. He also encompassed the parliamentary development programs for Members of Parliament and capacity building services for officers of parliamentary secretariats and government, offered by the Institute.  Mr. Zaka also shed light on outreach services of PIPS where Institute invites delegates from universities and colleges to enlighten them about working of the Parliament, knowledge of Constitution and about key laws pertaining to common citizens.

At the end an absorbing Q&A session was conducted where the participants asked questions about Parliament and PIPS, which were answered by the worthy panelists. Ms. Saiqa Rani, the Program Director of Bargad gave a vote of thanks, where she thanked the panelists and PIPS team for organizing the event.