ISLAMABAD, May 30, 2025: The Senate Secretariat showcased the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for parliamentary work during a two-day workshop on Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), culminating in the unveiling of the country’s first AI-powered Virtual Parliamentary Assistant (a bespoke AI solution trained on Pakistan’s constitutional documents, legislative records, and parliamentary procedures) held at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).
Designed for officers and officials of the Senate Secretariat, the initiative reflects the visionary leadership of the Chairman Senate and demonstrates Pakistan’s growing role in regional tech-enabled legislative innovation.
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Organized by the Office of the Advisor to the Chairman Senate on Special Initiatives and the Parliamentary Development Unit (PDU), in collaboration with Mustehkam Parlimaan (MuP) and PIPS, the workshop highlighted how generative AI can transform legislative support systems, enabling smarter, faster, and more transparent parliamentary processes.
At the core of this innovation is Ms. Rida Qazi, Advisor to the Chairman Senate on Special Initiatives, who—alongside her dedicated team—conceived and led the development of the Senate ChatBot. Her leadership translates the Chairman Senate’s broader vision for a modern, transparent, and tech-enabled Senate into tangible action.
“We are not just introducing a tool—we are reimagining how parliamentary support can be delivered,” Ms. Qazi remarked. “The Virtual Assistant reflects our commitment to institutional innovation, improved service delivery, and regional leadership in Parliament-Tech.”
The Senate ChatBot, developed under Ms. Qazi’s leadership and technically led by AI expert Dr. Basit Riaz Shaikh (Ph.D., Cornell), is a purpose-built virtual assistant trained on the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate (2012), and Senate Hansard. It provides Senators and Secretariat staff with multilingual, real-time access to legislative data, historical records, and procedural guidance, transforming how legislative information is accessed and utilized.
Dr. Shaikh, who also served as the lead trainer for the two-day workshop, conducted interactive, hands-on sessions that introduced participants to practical applications of generative AI in parliamentary contexts. The program combined technical learning with forward-looking dialogue on responsible implementation.
“This is not about replacing human expertise,” noted Dr. Shaikh. “It’s about equipping parliamentary teams with intelligent, adaptive tools that enhance their effectiveness.”
The workshop also featured insightful discussions on ethical AI deployment, referencing international frameworks such as the EU AI Act, to ensure that AI adoption within the Senate aligns with democratic principles and national legal standards.
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The enthusiastic engagement of Senate officials reflected not only curiosity but also readiness to embrace innovation. The success of this initiative positions the Senate of Pakistan as a regional leader in legislative technology and digital governance.
As part of a broader transformation agenda, the Senate ChatBot will now move into controlled testing and phased integration within parliamentary workflows.
Designed for the officers/officials of the Senate Secretariat, the event, organized by the Office of the Advisor to the Chairman Senate on Special Initiatives and PDU in collaboration with Mustehkam Parlimaan (MuP) & PIPS, demonstrated how AI-powered solutions could enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Senate operations. The event was a strategic showcase of how cutting-edge technology can transform legislative support systems.
This initiative, spearheaded by Ms. Rida Qazi, Advisor to the Chairman Senate on Special Initiatives, is a flagship demonstration of strategic foresight and the Chairman Senate’s vision for a modern, efficient, and transparent parliamentary institution. “We’re not just adopting technology; we are shaping the future of parliamentary service,” Ms. Qazi emphasized. “The Virtual Assistant is a game-changer. It reflects our commitment to innovation, service delivery, and regional leadership in digital governance.”
Developed through collaboration under the leadership of Ms. Rida Qazi, her Special Initiatives & PDU team with renowned AI expert Dr. Basit Riaz Shaikh (Ph.D., Cornell), the centerpiece of the workshop was the live demonstration of the Senate ChatBot—an advanced virtual assistant trained on the Constitution of Pakistan (1973), the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Senate (2012), and Senate Hansard. This AI tool provides Senators and Secretariat staff with instant, multilingual access to legislative data, historical records, and procedural guidance.
The workshop featured hands-on training led by renowned AI expert Dr. Basit Riaz Shaikh (Ph.D., Cornell). Participants explored real-world applications of generative AI in legislative settings.
The workshop also included forward-looking discussions on the ethical and responsible use of AI, referencing international frameworks such as the EU AI Act. Participants engaged with global standards to ensure that Pakistan’s AI journey remains aligned with democratic values and legal safeguards.
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The strong interest and engagement from Senate officials signaled more than curiosity—it marked a milestone toward establishing Pakistan as a regional leader in AI-driven parliamentary governance.
With the Virtual Parliamentary Assistant, the Senate of Pakistan is making more than progress—it’s making history.
