ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday inaugurated the newly modernised office complex of the Senate Secretariat at Parliament House, calling it a step toward institutional reform and strengthening parliamentary capacity.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Gilani said strong democratic institutions required modern systems, efficient infrastructure and a professional working environment.

He termed the upgradation part of a broader reform agenda aimed at improving service delivery and enabling the Secretariat to support Parliament in discharging its constitutional responsibilities.

The ceremony was attended by Senate Secretary Syed Hasnain Haider, senior officers of the Secretariat and officials involved in executing the project.

The chairman noted that instead of new construction, the initiative focused on modernising existing infrastructure through efficient planning.

The project resulted in better functionality, improved workspace management and increased institutional capacity. As part of the upgrade, the Secretariat installed for the first time a state-of-the-art Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air-conditioning system with an advanced fresh-air oxygenation feature.

Officials said the system ensures continuous supply of fresh air along with energy efficiency, precise climate control and improved indoor air quality. The existing office layout was also optimised to create additional smart office accommodation without expanding the building’s footprint.

Mr Gilani appreciated the project management team, engineers, architects, consultants and CDA staff for ensuring timely completion of the project. He reaffirmed his commitment to institutional excellence, saying modernisation of parliamentary institutions was essential for responsive and transparent governance.

He expressed confidence that the upgraded facilities would strengthen the administrative capacity of the Senate Secretariat and improve support to Parliament and its committees.

The chairman said the initiative reflected his continued focus on institutional development and sustainable reforms, and the Secretariat’s resolve to adopt innovative solutions while ensuring prudent use of public resources.

Investment in children, youth

Meanwhile, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said nearly 60 per cent of Pakistan’s population comprised young people and emphasised that, with quality education, skills development and adequate opportunities, particularly in traditional crafts, the country’s youth could become a key driver of national development.

A statement issued here said Mr Gilani made these remarks while receiving a delegation of Save the Children at Parliament House. The delegation comprised Francis Woods, Global Program Director, Save the Children Australia; Arshad Malik, Regional Director; and Khurram Gondal, Country Director, Save the Children Pakistan.

Welcoming the delegation, the chairman Senate appreciated Save the Children’s longstanding partnership with Pakistan since 1979 and acknowledged the organisation’s continued contribution to improving the lives of children across the country. He reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to promoting child-centred legislation, effective oversight and enhanced public investment in education, healthcare, nutrition and child protection.

The delegation briefed the chairman on Save the Children’s ongoing humanitarian and development programmes and their impact across Pakistan. Discussing child health and nutrition, the chairman welcomed initiatives aimed at improving children’s well-being, including the $80 million Sindh School Meals Programme being implemented jointly with the World Food Programme.

The programme is expected to improve nutrition and learning outcomes for more than 200,000 children in nearly 1,300 schools across Sindh.

The delegation also briefed the chairman on ongoing efforts to mobilise climate-resilient financing to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities, particularly children, against the adverse impacts of climate change.

The delegation further informed the chairman about its collaboration with the World Mosquito Programme, an innovative global public health initiative aimed at preventing the transmission of diseases such as dengue.

It also briefed him on recent engagements with federal and provincial health authorities, including the government of Sindh, to explore potential collaboration for strengthening Pakistan’s efforts to combat dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

The delegation invited the chairman Senate to participate in the high-level regional dialogue, titled “From Visioning to Commitment: Advancing Child-Responsive Budgeting in Asia,” scheduled to be held on Nov 18, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand. The dialogue aims to mobilise public, private and development finance to accelerate investment in children across Asia. The chairman thanked the delegation for the invitation and appreciated the importance of regional cooperation in advancing child-responsive public policies and financing.

During the meeting, the delegation also shared its initiatives to promote Pakistan’s cultural heritage by supporting local artisans and traditional crafts and briefed the chairman on its visit to Multan. In this context, Mr Gilani highlighted the historical significance of Multan and its centuries-old tradition of Multani Blue Pottery. He also referred to the renowned Multani clay (Multani Mitti), noting that it was widely used in beauty and skincare products around the world, reflecting the city’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.

The chairman reiterated that nearly 60pc of Pakistan’s population comprised young people and emphasised that, with quality education, skills development and adequate opportunities, particularly in traditional crafts, the country’s youth could become a key driver of national development.

The delegation appreciated Pakistan’s rich civilisational heritage and expressed keen interest in further promoting and preserving traditional arts and crafts.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026