ISLAMABAD: On the direction of the Chairman Senate, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and responsible utilisation of public resources.

Under the new measures, PIPS has adopted a four-day working week (Monday to Thursday), while introducing a hybrid working model whereby 50 per cent of staff will perform duties from the office and as many will work remotely on a rotational basis.

The austerity measures are on the same lines as those notified and adopted by the Senate and National Assembly Secretariats.

Similarly, employees working from home will remain fully accessible digitally 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 70pc reduction in energy consumption through minimising 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 70pc official vehicles have been grounded as part of this initiative.

As part of broader austerity efforts, 20pc 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 Rs300,000 or more, shall surrender two days’ salary or 5to 30per cent of gross salary as per the 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, the institute remains fully committed to maintaining its core functions of parliamentary support, capacity building, and research while contributing proactively to national austerity and sustainability goals.

Published in Dawn, March 23th, 2026