The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in collaboration with the Karakoram Area Development Organisation (KADO) and Agha Khan Foundation (AKF), organised a five-day workshop on Parliamentary Business for the Honourable Members of the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly (GBA) from January 10th to 16th, 2025, at the PIPS’ auditorium in Islamabad. The workshop was designed to enhance the capacity of the GBA members in legislative and non-legislative business, oversight tools, and inclusive policy planning. This initiative underscores PIPS’ commitment to fostering robust democratic governance and institutional development in Pakistan’s strategically significant region of Gilgit Baltistan.
The workshop aimed to:
The diverse and meticulously planned agenda spanned five days, with each day addressing distinct aspects of parliamentary functions:
Day 1: Introduction and Overview
Programme Opening:
The programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Mr. Zahid Ashraf, PIPS. The Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) warmly welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of the workshop in strengthening democratic governance and institutional capacity. He highlighted the workshop’s tailored agenda, designed to equip legislators with the necessary tools and insights to enhance their legislative, oversight, and representative roles. Stressing the significance of parliamentary business as the foundation of democracy, he encouraged participants to embrace their role as custodians of public trust, shaping policies aligned with the aspirations of their constituents. The Executive Director also appreciated the resource persons and PIPS team for their contributions, underscoring PIPS’s commitment to supporting parliamentary institutions across Pakistan. Mr. Abbas Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Karakorum Area Development Organisation, and Ms. Zohra Bano, Regional Gender Advisor, Agha Khan Foundation delivered their opening remarks respectively. In the end, the chief guest of the ceremony, the Honourable Speaker of the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly, Mr. Nazir Ahmed, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the organising teams for their tireless efforts and unwavering support in making this event a success. Addressing the participants, he encouraged them to fully embrace the unique opportunity presented by this workshop, urging them to engage actively, exchange ideas, and absorb as much knowledge as possible. He emphasized that such forums are invaluable for enhancing their understanding of parliamentary practices and equipping them with the tools needed to fulfill their legislative responsibilities effectively.
The rest of the day included sessions on an overview of the Constitution of Pakistan, governance frameworks, and gender-sensitive policy planning.
Day 2: Legislative Functions and Oversight
The day focused on the legislative process and the GBA’s rules of procedure. A notable session on Pakistan’s foreign policy by Hon. Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed highlighted political developments concerning Gilgit Baltistan.
Day 3: Non-Legislative Business and Oversight
This segment emphasized the significance of non-legislative business and effective governance through oversight tools. Visit to the Senate of Pakistan was a chance to the participants to observe the Senate Session and they also visited the National Vocational & Technical Training Commission as well.
Day 4: Committees and Public Finance
Best practices in committee functions and fiscal management were explored. Participants learned about leveraging non-legislative tools for governance.
Day 5: Gender-Inclusive Policies:
Sessions addressed gender-inclusive development and budgeting, as well as the use of technology for governance.
Programme Closing:
The closing ceremony took place on the 16th January, 2025 at the PIPS’ auditorium. Honourable Member Gilgit Baltistan Council, Syed Shabihal Hasnain recited the verses from the Holy Quran. The Executive Director PIPS, Mr. Asim Khan Goraya, reflected on the workshop’s successful conclusion and commended the active participation of the Honourable Members of the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly and Council. He reiterated the workshop’s role in empowering legislators with insights into effective governance and thanked the resource persons for their invaluable contributions. The Executive Director acknowledged the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration to address the challenges of parliamentary governance and emphasized PIPS’s unwavering support for democratic institutions. Expressing hope that the workshop would inspire participants to perform their legislative duties with renewed perspective and vigour, he concluded with a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and progressive Gilgit Baltistan. Mr. Abbas Ali, the Chief Executive Officer of the Karakoram Area Development Organization (KADO), extended his heartfelt thanks to the Honourable Members for their enthusiastic and meaningful participation throughout the workshop. He expressed his deep appreciation to the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) for their commendable efforts in organizing such an impactful event. Mr. Ali highlighted the importance of collaboration and shared his optimism about fostering a strong and productive partnership between KADO and PIPS in the future. The chief guest of the ceremony, the Hon. Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan, Haji Gulbar Khan, extended his sincere gratitude to the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) and the Karakoram Area Development Organization (KADO) for their collaborative efforts in organizing this significant event. He acknowledged the hard work and dedication of both organisations in creating a platform that not only promotes knowledge-sharing but also fosters learning and capacity-building among the participants. The Honourable Chief Minister emphasized the value of such initiatives, highlighting how they serve as an invaluable resource for enhancing the skills and understanding of parliamentary and governance practices. He further elaborated that these programmes are instrumental in empowering lawmakers and decision-makers to address the multifaceted challenges of governance with greater competence and insight. Reflecting on PIPS’s history of organising similar successful events, he expressed his hope and encouragement for the continuation of such workshops and training programmes in the future. He emphasized on the need for ongoing collaboration between institutions like PIPS and KADO to sustain efforts toward strengthening democratic governance and promoting inclusive development in Gilgit Baltistan.
The workshop serves as a pivotal milestone in enhancing the legislative and governance capacities of the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly. By focusing on essential areas such as gender inclusivity, fiscal management, and legislative processes, it provides participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to foster a more empowered and forward-looking governance framework in Gilgit Baltistan. The efforts of PIPS and its collaborators in organising this event exemplify the importance of capacity-building initiatives in strengthening democratic institutions in Pakistan.