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Second Session
March 01-05, 2007,
Islamabad
Background of the Youth Parliament
Conceived and initiated by PILDAT (Pakistan Institute of
Legislative Development And Transparency), a research and
training institute focused on strengthening democracy and
democratic institutions, the Youth Parliament Pakistan
provided “Youth MPs or MYPs” a chance to experience life in
the parliamentary spotlight and at the same time show how the
next generation would approach parliamentary politics in
Pakistan. The Youth Parliament, which has 60 members from all
over the country aged between 18 and 29, provided a platform
for the young to face the pressure of adversarial politics and
discuss issues of concern to young people in Pakistan.
The idea behind Youth Parliament is to inculcate in youth the
values and culture of democracy as central to effective
governance in any society. The Youth Parliament has been
designed to demonstrate to Youth how Parliament is able to
make legislation; to debate matters of national and
international concern; to demand accountability from those in
government; to change government without recourse to civil
disorder; and to make and enforce their own rules of conduct,
practice and behaviour.
The Youth Parliament project received cooperation of the
Ministry of Youth Affairs, Pakistan while the project is
supported by the Global Opportunities Fund of the UK Foreign
and Commonwealth Office and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung,
Germany
Establishment and facilitation of the Youth Parliament is part
of PILDAT’s focus on Youth in the country and Youth’s
awareness education and training in the norms of politics and
democracy. The membership of Youth Parliament has been
selected from across Pakistan through an intensive evaluation
and interview process by an independent steering committee
including MPs, former Speakers, representative of Ministry of
Youth Affairs and PILDAT. The membership reflects number of
seats according to regional proportion on population basis as
is the practice in the National Assembly of Pakistan. No
educational qualification criterion was set for seeking
membership. Instead, the only requirement included the
capacity to read, write and speak Urdu so as not to
discriminate against a large population of youth of Pakistan
on the basis of education and not to let the Youth Parliament
become a forum for the elite.
The Second Session
The second session held from March 01-05, 2007 held six
sittings. Former Speaker Mr. Gohar Ayub presided over the
second session while Dr. Ishrat Hussain Chairman National
Commission on Governance Reforms addressed the members of
Youth Parliament at the first sitting on the significance of
their role in national politics and stressed that the future
is in their hands. Highlighting the link between politics and
economics Dr. Hussain pointed out that the two are strongly
interlinked and political dynamics impact significantly on the
economy. Dr. Hussain advised the MYPs to set new values if
they wanted to rise as a sovereign nation in this new
globalized competitive world.
The House discussed the Draft Youth Policy of Pakistan to
offer proposals to further improve it and also discussed the
issue of Federalism and Provincial Autonomy to offer proposals
to address the current challenges to Federalism and demands
for increased quantum of Provincial Autonomy and contribute to
the resolution of these issues. The various sittings witnessed
active participation of all MYPs in the debate with the
opposition and government benches engaged in presenting their
case vociferously. The session provided the MYPs with the
opportunity to contribute to the youth policy and make
recommendations on provincial autonomy to be submitted to the
government for consideration.
After the session the MYPs attended a lunch hosted in their
honour by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate
Committee on Foreign Affairs at the Senate Banquet Hall. The
MYPS engaged in a vibrant interaction with the Senator and
expressed their views on the youth and foreign policies being
pursued by the government.
Sitting One and Two
The Second Session of Youth Parliament held its first and
second sitting here on Thursday March 01, 2007. Former Speaker
Mr. Gohar Ayub presided over the first and second sittings
while Dr. Ishrat Hussain Chairman National Commission on
Governance Reforms addressed the members of Youth Parliament
at the first sitting on the significance of their role in
national politics and stressed that the future is in their
hands. Highlighting the link between politics and economics
Dr. Hussain pointed out that the two are strongly interlinked
and political dynamics impact significantly on the economy. He
also stressed that we need to strengthen our institutions so
that we can remain free of international financial
institutions’ dictates. Comparing the emerging role of India
and China among the developing countries, he said that
Pakistan has not matched their achievements as a nation has
been held back by their lack of tolerance and attitudes which
subtract value. Dr. Hussain said that the people of India or
China are not smarter than us the only difference is that they
collaborate and work as a team and that is why they have moved
ahead in the globalized world. He said that unless we imbibe a
new set of values and change our attitudes we cannot become a
strong contender in the international market and have a
prosperous future. Dr. Hussain advised the MYPs to set new
values if they wanted to rise as a sovereign nation in this
new globalized competitive world. The question hour session
witnessed a lively debate on the issue of privatization and
state control and regulation over these institutions.
On a motion to discuss the Draft Youth Policy of Pakistan to
offer proposals to further improve it Mr. Mustafa Hyder Sayed,
Youth Minister for Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs outlined
the key features of Youth Parliament’s version of ‘A Youth
Policy’. He said that the policy will focus on introduction of
a National Service Program for youth in which youth
specializing in any given field would be recruited and sent to
serve in the underdeveloped areas; representation from all
provinces, especially Balochistan and Northern Areas in all
government departments and offices; provision of credit
facilities to youth; opening of centres for talented youth in
all major cities in the country; introduction of compulsory
and free primary education to all; and ensuring that Madrassas
do not incorporate sectarian and biased teachings into young
minds.
Presenting their views on the Draft Youth policy of the
Government, Members from the opposition benches proposed
revisions in a number of areas stressing that investing in
education of youth is the utmost priority. MYP Mr. Syed Ali
YP11-NA01 identifying three gaps in the Youth Policy said that
the draft youth policy does not mention any effective steps
for youth empowerment, current ban on student unions or
provisions for community Services. MYP Ms. Saima Usman
YP43-PUNJAB-25 said that there is no focus on the development
of rural underprivileged youth which consists of 64% of the
total youth population. This policy should pay attention
towards technical education of Youth, she said. As our
industry requires skilled labour we need to emphasis skill
development of youth so that they can not only self employ
themselves but can also play a role as employment generators.
MYP Mr. Akhter Muhammad Shah YP49-SINDH02 said education must
be given prime importance as it is the mother of all politics.
It creates awareness to properly use the right of vote which
is at the root of democratic society. Other members emphasized
the need for including focus on reducing gender inequalities
and on the implementation of youth policy.
The session was adjourned by the Speaker till Friday March 02,
2007 at 03:00 pm.
Sitting Three
Held on March 02, 2007 the sitting was presided over by Mr.
Gohar Ayub former Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan. The
session witnessed a heated and healthy debate from both the
sides of the House.
Mr. Hummayun Javed of the blue party started with the consent
of the speaker said, the illiterate youth is largely ignored
by the National Youth Policy and the amendments proposed in
the house till now. A working policy to provide vocational
training for the current youth and involving a higher
percentage of the upcoming youth in education. Don’t go for a
utopian goal of making overnight changes. Instead prioritize
between goals for the youth, for example capacity building and
increasing the literacy rate and make solid, time lined plan
of action that can be implemented easily.
Ms. Afshan Laeeq Khan belonging to opposition proposed that
internet and cable should be censored. There should be a focus
on the equality of education instead of two or three standards
of education. There should be a system of subsidized transport
for the Youth. Ms. Sidra Tariq said from opposition side said
that there is no staunch measure that is given regarding the
implementation of education policy. There is no emphasis on
the brain drain that is happening nowadays. There is no focus
on the health especially the high mortality rat in the rural
areas where most of the women die very young. There are no
psychological, health and career counseling centers are
available. This youth policy does not address the problems of
minority. Mr. Iftikhar Mubarik from the treasury benches said
that Government of Pakistan should introduce a simple plan of
credit for the youth. Government of Pakistan should also make
sure that the products provided under “President’s Rozgaar
Scheme” must be qualitative. Government of Pakistan should
announce properly through media regarding international youth
exchange program and there should be a balanced representation
of each class. Mr. Qaisar Gondal from the opposition said that
rural youth should be given importance. Name of Saudi Arabia
should be omitted from proposed draft.
Mr. Ajmal Shah Din from the opposition said that the Youth
must be given political awareness and the opportunities should
be provided to make them able to contribute in the democratic
system of Pakistan. Youth had played a vital role in making of
Pakistan and it is the Youth who can play a vital role in
reconstruction and progress of Pakistan.
Mr. Jawdat Bilal from Opposition proposed that there are some
vital gaps in the youth policy like there is no mention of
incentives provided by the implementation of the policy to
youth. I personally feel that there is nothing for the
uneducated youth in this draft plus, they have not mentioned
what they are going to stop drugs and forms of abuses that
take place in the society of Pakistan.
Mr. Muhammad Nawaz from the Opposition side said that youth
policy is concentrated towards educated youth of Pakistan.
However, 64% youth of rural areas are mostly ignored. It is
not stated in the youth policy that it covers all the youth of
Pakistan irrespective of the education level and area, however
youth policy is drafted targeting educated and urban youth.
They are proposing that DCO will be the focal person for the
youth but I personally don’t think so that DCO will be
available for all the youth from District because of the
enough administrative responsibilities and enjoyment of
bureaucratic powers.
The session was adjourned to meet at 1000Hrs on March 03,
2007.
The MYPs also held an interactive session with the Speaker on
“How to be a Good Parliamentarian".
Sitting Four
The fourth sitting was held on March 03, 2007. The House in
its fourth sitting began discussion on the issue of Federalism
and Provincial Autonomy to offer proposals to address the
current challenges to Federalism and demands for increased
quantum of Provincial Autonomy and contribute to the
resolution of these issues. Mr. Ajmal Shah Din
YP20-Punjab02opined that autonomy should be given to the
provinces according to the principle of “Strong
province-Strong Federation”. The house witnessed a lively
debate from both sides of the aisle on increasing the actual
quantum of power and resources to the provinces. They
stressed the need for an active role to be played by the
Council of Common Interests (CCI) as imperative for the
resolution of disputes between the federation and the
provinces. The treasury benches supported the increase in
number of provinces as a solution for increasing autonomy to
the provinces while the opposition was of the view that this
would not in fact bring about the desired results. Both sides
highlighted that the many problems being faced by Pakistan
today were due to the conflicts between the federation and the
provinces and resolution of these issues was imperative for
strengthening democracy in the country. The session was
chaired by Former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr.
Wazir Ahmed Jogezai as well as Deputy Speaker Ms. Mehwish
Muneera Ismail YP54-Sindh07.
After the session the MYPs attended a lunch hosted in their
honour by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate
Committee on Foreign Affairs at the Senate Banquet Hall. The
MYPS engaged in a vibrant interaction with the Senator and
expressed their views on the youth and foreign policies being
pursued by the government.
The session was adjourned to meet on March 04, 2007 at
1000Hrs.
The MYPs also elected the Chairs of the six standing
Committees notified in session one in January, 2007.
Sitting Five
The Second Session of Youth Parliament held its fifth sitting
here on March 04, 2007 on the fourth day of the second
session. On a resolution moved by Ms. Syeda Afshan Batool
Zaidi YP45-PUNJAB27 the House Condemned the recent terrorist
attack on the Samjhota Express, conveyed condolence to the
families of all those who died in a tragedy and expresses
sympathy and solidarity with the injured and their families.
The house demanded the Government of India to carry out
expeditious enquiry into the tragedy, share the results of the
enquiry with the Government of Pakistan and bring the culprits
to book. The house further demanded the Government of Pakistan
to forcefully convey the sentiments of the people of Pakistan
to the Government of India in this regard. After moving the
resolution party members belonging to both the benches
expressed their point of view on the incident. Majority of the
members demanded the Government of India to launch a mutual
enquiry commission so that the facts can be explored. Then all
the members collectively offered prayers for the people who
died in the incident. This resolution was unanimously passed
by the Youth Parliament.
On another resolution moved jointly by, Ms. Sana Toaha Faridi
YP59-SINDH-12 and Mr. Qaisar Mehmood Gondal YP40-PUNJAB22, The
House condemned the recent brutal and tragic assassination of
Ms. Zille Huma, the Punjab Provincial Minister of Social
Welfare, conveyed condolences to her family and demanded the
Government of Punjab to take concrete steps to ensure that
such violent and inhuman acts do not take place in future”.
Commenting on the resolution most members expressed their
grave concern on the deteriorated situation of law and order
in the country especially in Punjab and Sindh. They demanded a
speedy trial for the case and conviction of the assassin
because there are so many witnesses to it, that are enough to
convict him. Many members were of a view that the lack of
efficiency and effectiveness of the police led to this tragic
incidence. They urged the Government to take notice and ensure
more effective management of such cases by the Police
officials. All members collectively offered prayers and
unanimously passed the resolution.
The House proceeded to continue the debate on Federalism and
Provincial Autonomy which was initiated by Mr. Ali Raza
YP44-PUNJAB26, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary
Affairs yesterday on March 03, 2006. Commenting on the policy
Mr. Umair Javed YP46-PUNJAB28 said that a lot has been said
about the provincial autonomy but now is the time we should
focus on the devolution of power. He suggested that Centre
should keep Defence, Finance, Foreign affairs with it and rest
of all should be devolved to provinces. There should be some
indicators to implement NFC rather than only one, like
poverty, revenue and performance of the provinces. We should
make new provinces but with the consensus of the people.
People on key positions should be decided by democratic
process instead of dictation. Instead of council of common
interest we should have an inter-provincial committee which
should be strengthened and should be regular in meetings.
Police order should be amended and police should not be in the
hands of federation.
Ms. Aatika Nagrah YP06-ICT01 proposed that royalty from the
natural resources should be paid to the provinces. Talking
about development projects she said that development should
not be imposed, in fact it should be on the participatory
basis.
Mr. Iftikhar Mubarik YP26-PUNJAB08 proposed that in order to
make strong federation and to facilitate common people we
should make more provinces. If we can make Rawalpindi or
Multan Bench of LHC, why can’t we divide the provinces to
facilitate a layman. Members of Senate of Pakistan should be
elected through voting like MNAs. Minorities should be given a
seat in the senate. People on the key positions like Chief
Justice, Election commissioner, Chief of Army staff should be
appointed with the consent of Senate.
Mr. Tariq Salam YP18-NWFP07 proposed that trends towards
centralism in the federation is normal and is practiced in USA
also. The question is why we want to make new provinces? We
should stress that if we want to make provinces we will but
not on this point in time, we can work on this in future. FCR
should be abolished because it is an inhuman law. If we want
to solve the problems of FATA and Balochistan we should
consider the sensitivities of the local people. NFC should be
based on many indicators instead of one. Election of Senate
should be by direct elections.
The Minister for Law Mr. Ali Raza YP44-PUNJAB26, Minister for
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in his concluding
speech before this policy is reffered to the standing
Committee elaborated following points, FCR is to be repealed
as demanded by the MYPs. Concurrent list in the constitution
needs to be preferred in favour of Provinces. Reason for
formation of more provinces for effective participation of all
citizens. Governor’s role and selection is to be redefined.
The Minister replied to all the questions and addressed the
concerns of MYPs. The Minister thanked MYPs belonging to Blue
party particularly and MYPs from Green Party generally for
long and effective discussion on the provincial autonomy.
Sitting Six
The concluding sixth sitting was held on March 05, 2007. The
House began by concluding the discussion on the issue of
Federalism and Province Autonomy. The Youth Prime Minister Mr.
Basil Nabi Malik YP50-Sindh03 giving his concluding comments
said that the policy presented by the Youth Minister for Law,
Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights will contribute towards
the demands for increasing provincial autonomy and to the
resolution of conflicts between the provinces and the
federation. The Speaker then referred the policy to the
standing committee on Law, Parliamentary Affairs and human
rights for review and finalization.
On a calling attention notice Ms. Afshan Laeeque Khan
(YP48-Sindh01) invited attention of the Honourable Youth Prime
Minister to a matter of urgent public importance regarding the
claim by Ms. Kianat Soomro on being the victim of rape and
sexual assault and her silent protest outside the Karachi
Press Club. The Government of Pakistan she urged should make
sure that the case is expeditiously dealt with and justice
done to her.
On another call attention notice Mr. Kamran Khan Kakar
(YP02-Balochistan01) invited attention of the Honourable Youth
Prime Minister to a matter of urgent public importance
regarding the drinking water problem in District Quetta-Nawa
Killi–UC-50 due to which residents are facing acute problems.
He said that the government needs to provide clean safe
drinking water to the people.
On a resolution moved by Mr. Muhammad Anwar ul
Haq(YP34-Punjab16) and Ms. Quratulain Marri (YP56-Sindh09) the
House discussed the recent stand by the USA to carry out an
operation within Pakistan’s boundaries as a threat to
Pakistan’s national sovereignty. The House demanded that their
claim to have Pakistan’s consent for such an operation be
publically refuted by the Government of Pakistan.
The session was prorogued till the next session expected to
take place in the second week of May 2007.
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