PILDAT works to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions through the following key programmes. The list of programmes is dynamic and is expanded and adjusted according to the needs.

Political Research Programme: Quality political research, completely objective and non-partisan, remains a cross-cutting theme through all streams of PILDAT work. Objective and non-partisan quality political research is carried out in the shape of Briefing Papers, Background Papers, Case Studies, Reports and Directories for the benefit of legislators, legislative staff, political parties, the media, civil society organisations and the public.

Public Legislative Forums: Involves holding of public discussion and dialogue on legislative performance of the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies and legislation under consideration or passed by the legislatures. The forum is a means to sensitise civil society, media and the public to get involved in democratic decision making and legislative issues and gauge and gather public input on those. Through this forum, opinions of various sections of society are channelled to the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies.

Legislative Strengthening Programme for Legislators and Legislative Staff: A flagship programme area of PILDAT through which legislative capability-building and strengthening efforts are made using tools such as technical and policy issues-based Briefings, Training Workshops; Roundtable Discussions and Legislative Study Visits, etc.

Policy Dialogue Programme: Creation of avenues of pluralistic political discourse, policy review and dialogue on areas such as Civil Military Relations is a hallmark of PILDAT�s work towards strengthening democracy. Major areas under this programme include a Dialogue on Civil-Military Relations, a PILDAT initiative since 2004, efforts towards Parliamentary oversight of the defence sector and sharing of international Case studies and best practises to achieve the objective. We also facilitate formation of policy groups for research and dialogue on issues including Electoral Reforms, Relations between Muslims and the Western World, FATA Status, Centre-Province Relations, etc.

Democracy Watch Programme: PILDAT�s Democracy Watch Programme emanates from its focus on transparency. With periodic analysis and reports on the State of Democracy in Pakistan, the programme also analyses working of the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies and related areas.

Political Parties Programme: Focused on strengthening political parties for a strengthened democracy in the country, this programme undertakes national and international training and sensitisation of political party office-bearers and personnel, and provides avenues for dialogue and briefings in this regard.

Youth Leadership Development Programme: PILDAT launched the first-ever Youth Parliament Pakistan to inculcate culture and values of democracy in youth and to prepare them for future leadership roles. In addition, PILDAT facilitated the formation of the Young Parliamentarians Forum Pakistan, a multi-party group of young MPs, in the 12th National Assembly of Pakistan, now carried forward to the 13th National Assembly of Pakistan.