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| Fifth Session Summary | |||
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Fifth Session of 4th Youth Parliament Pakistan Concluded at Islamabad September 19 to September 23, 2012 |
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Youth Parliament Pakistan called upon its 5th session from 19 - 23 September, 2012. The session was called on to discuss the Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan, Role of Youth in Elections and Talibinization in Pakistan. Day 1: Youth Parliament Pakistan, on the first day of the fifth session unanimously passed a resolution condemning the blasphemous US movie. The sacrilegious film, the Youth Parliamentarians said, was a conspiracy to distress the Muslims all over the world. They called for efforts to forge unity among the Muslims to foil the conspiracies of the anti-Islam forces. “Corrupt democratic rule has always resulted in the emergence and dominance of the military intervention in political milieu, thus making Military the only key decision-maker not only in charge of defence of Pakistan but also in the other national sectors like domestic, foreign and security”, Mr. Muhammad Umar Riaz (YP36-PUNJAB16), Youth Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights said, He was of the view that it was the need of the hour to make internal policies based on accountability to counter corruption and drastic reforms need to be initiated in this regard. Ms. Shaheera Jalil Albasit (YP56-SINDH08), Youth Minister for Foreign Affair and Defence demanded a complete review of activities in the educational institutions which are under the military administration. The students in these institutions like other civilian educational institutes must be allowed to hold and express their views on all social issues and must not be restricted from holding any healthy political dialogues. Mr. Hassan Ashraf (YP01-AJK01) moved a resolution to discuss recommendations for the improved implementation of the blasphemy laws. Day 2: Second day of the fifth session, the Members of the Youth Parliament met with the Deputy Speaker National Assembly Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi. “The provinces have been empowered in the real sense through greater provincial autonomy and devolution of powers to them and today they enjoy unprecedented freedom in decision-making, administrative operations as well as financial matters. Under 18th and 19th Amendments the provinces of Pakistan are more empowered than ever.” Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi said. The Honourable Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Mr. Faisal Kareem Kundi was addressing the 4th batch of the Youth Parliament Pakistan that visited the National Assembly today. The Honourable Speaker shed light on the systematic proceedings of the National Assembly. “Gilgit-Baltistan was given self-governance and empowerment, which was a long-standing demand of people of the region. PPP Government has achieved many milestones and its economic policies will further maintain macro-economic stability,” he said. Later the Members of the Youth Parliament were shown the both houses of the Parliament and given a small briefing by the Secretariat staff on their working Day 3: On the third day, Youth Parliament Pakistan condemned the policy of fanning hatred which is showing disrespect for a personality whose reputation is noted and is being celebrated for the last 1,400 years of history not only by Muslims but by non-Muslims too. The Youth Parliamentarians commended the Government of Pakistan of marking September 21 (Friday) a national holiday in honour of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Youth Parliamentarians were of the view that all the protests should be culminated peacefully and almost all the speakers unanimously asked the rulers of the Islamic countries to lodge protest with the US. Ms. Rabiya Shamim (YP53-SINDH05) and Mr. Omair Najam (YP52-SINDH04) said that there should be laws to regulate the Internet industry and the concerned rules should be made ethical for the people of all nationalities. Mr. Tabraiz Sadiq Marri (YP58-SINDH10) Leader of the Opposition said, “By practicing violence in the form of protests, no one is going to lose more than Muslims. Violence has never been effective. What will be the result of this violence? Will non-Muslim world respect our nation when some of its people lose their sense of justice and kill someone innocent who has nothing to do with the verbal assaults of an imbecile?” Mr. Osama Mehmood (YP42-PUNJAB22) appealed to the United Nations to frame laws to stop publication and circulation of blasphemous material against Islam or any other religion. Day 4: On fourth day, in an interactive session on the topic of “Civil-Military Relations” Senator Razza Rabbani, Chairman Parliamentary Committee on National Security, shared with the Youth Parliament Pakistan his analysis on the issue and the way forward. In his view, the military has played a role of pivotal importance in the national security of the country but the military intervention in the politics and Parliamentary system should not be backed at all. He said, “The foundation stone of civil military relations has been laid by the present government. Civil and military relations have improved, yet the balance continues to elude.” He was of the opinion that the Military should be answerable to the Parliament and Parliamentary committees. While addressing the Youth Parliamentarians; Senator. Razza Rabbani noted, “There is a dire need to strengthen the Defence Committee of the Cabinet for the positive impacts on the national security of Pakistan.” He stressed that the National Security Council should not have been established as it was the idea of a military dictator. He criticized the feudal lords and feudal thinking who have always supported the undemocratic regime and powers which eventually pushed Pakistan decades away from prosperity. While addressing the Youth Parliament Pakistan on the last day of the fifth and final session, Mr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani was of the view that social stratification is one of the major problems of Pakistan which need to be addressed at the earliest. In his view, 180 million Pakistanis are restless because of stagnant governance and mobilization of population. Mr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani was of the opinion that President Musharaf used graduation condition for contesting election to disenfranchise a major chunk of population, as education is not the only criteria for political maturity. Earlier, during the proceedings of the House Mr. Aamir Abbas Turi (YP08-FATA01) called the attention of the Honourable Youth Prime Minister to the unfortunate incident of a bomb blast earlier this month in which 20 innocent people from Turi Tribe were martyred. Mr. Salman Khan Shinwari (YP18-KPK05) presented a couple of reports prepared by the standing committee on law, parliamentary affairs and human rights on low voter turnout and judicial reforms in Pakistan. Ms. Annum Mohsin (YP22-PUNJAB02) presented a bill “Qabailistan Bill” further to amend the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Mr. Muhammad Sohail (YP34-PUNJAB14), member standing committee on IT and Telecommunication, tabled a resolution highlighting the importance of pre-paid mobile connections and not to impose any ban on its use unilaterally. However the committee recommended regulating the SIM issuance procedure to curb its immoral and criminal use. Day 5: The last and final sitting of the 2012 batch of Youth Parliament was followed by elections to the Youth Parliament Pakistan Alumni Association 2012. Mr. Touseef Ahmed Abbasi (YP02-AJK02) has been elected as the President of the YPP Alumni Association 2012, while Mr. Saleem Khan (YP07-BALOCHISTAN05) has been elected as the Vice President Balochistan and AJK; Mr. Hafiz Ullah Wazir (YP09-FATA02) elected as the Vice President Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, ICT & FATA; Ms. Rabiya Shamim (YP53-SINDH05) Vice President Sindh; and Mr. Atiq ur Rehman (YP24-PUNJAB04) has been elected as the Vice President Punjab. The office of the General Secretary YPPAA 2012 has been filled by Mr. Gulfam Mustafa (YP26-PUNJAB06) while Mr. Kashif Yousaf Badar (YP27-PUNJAB07) has been elected as the Finance Secretary. On the completion of the final session of the fourth batch of Youth Parliament Pakistan, a project conceived, planned and implemented by PILDAT since 2007. The first-ever batch of Youth Parliament Pakistan completed its first term successfully in 2007-2008 while the second batch completed its term in 2008-2009. The third batch of Youth Parliament Pakistan, 2009-2010 and now the fourth batch of Youth Parliament Pakistan 2012. The Youth Parliament Pakistan (www.youthparliament.pk) has been serving as a platform for Pakistani Youth aged between 18-29 years. It is patterned after the National Assembly of Pakistan. 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 in the country. PILDAT strongly feels that sustainable democracy and the sustainability of sound democratic institutions in Pakistan is not possible without youth's involvement in the democratic and political process even if this involvement is simply as a citizen or voter. The 4th Youth Parliament Pakistan is supported by the Danish International Development Agency, Government of Denmark as recognition of the importance of young people's involvement in democracy and democratic practices in Pakistan.
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(L to R) Mr. Muhammad Hashim Azeem (YP33-Punjab13), Youth Prime Miniter; Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly and Ms. Sarah Abdul Wadood Khan (YP19-KPK06), Youth Deputy Speaker |
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Senator Ishaq Dar; Leader of the Opposition in Senate |
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Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry addressing the 4th batch of the Youth Parliament Pakistan that visited the Supreme Court |
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Youth Prime Minister Mr. Hashim Azeem (YP33-Punjab13), taking part in Legislative Business |
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Mr. Muhammad Umar Riaz (YP36-PUNJAB16), Youth Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights taking part in legislative business |
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© 2007-2012 Youth Parliament Pakistan |