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| Third Session Summary | |||
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Third Session of 4th Youth Parliament Pakistan Concluded at Islamabad June 20 to June 24, 2012 |
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Youth Parliament Pakistan called upon its 3rd session from 20 – 24 June, 2012. The session was called on to discuss the Budgetary & Economic Reforms in Pakistan. The Members also discussed the Human Rights situation in Pakistan. Day 1: Youth Minister for Finance, Planning Affairs and Economics, Ahmed Numair Farooq (YP21-PUNJAB01) moved a legislative motion to discuss the possible recommendations for the Youth Finance Policy 2012. A number of recommendations were given by the members for the removal of budget deficit, increase in tax revenues, eradication of tax evasion, debt servicing, eradication of economic disparity and economic initiatives to be taken for solving energy crisis. Osama Mehmood (YP42-PUNJAB22), Muhammad Attique (YP11-ICT01), Aamir Khan Khichi (YP30-PUNJAB10) and Najeeb Abid Baloch (YP05-BALOCHISTAN03) moved a legislative motion asking the government to devise mechanism for improvements in order to achieve a sustainable economic growth. Some of the members suggested that incentives should be given to the regular tax payers so that more people are motivated to pay taxes. Haseeb Ahssan (YP51-SINDH03) and Jamal Naseer Jamaee (YP50-SINDH02) moved a legislative resolution urging the government to address the deteriorating state of affairs of national organization like Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan Railways to identify the culprits and punishing them. Lack of political will and prevalent corrupt practices were identified as the core reasons behind the declining situation of these institutions. Change of leadership, privatization and utilization of railway property were discussed as the proposed solution. Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of Pakistan discussed the economic challenges that Pakistan is facing at the moment. He gave the detailed analysis of the poor growth rate. After giving the detailed comparative theory of the country’s financial position he urged the youth to get involved in the healthy debates. Day 2: Youth Parliament Pakistan presented its ‘Youth Financial Policy 2012’ on the 2nd day of their 3rd Parliamentary session. The Youth Financial Policy 2012 was presented by the Youth Minister for Finance Planning Affairs and Economics Ahmed Numair Farooq (YP21-Punjab01). The policy stressed on increasing the tax income by levying Agricultural tax, broadening tax base and ensuring tax recovery from all economic sectors and all segments of society. Najeeb Abid Baloch (YP05-Balochistan03) presented a parliamentary bill on the welfare of ‘Balochistan’. The bill proposed for devolution of National Ports and Shipping sector to the respective provinces. In case of Balochistan, the control of Gawadar Port should be handed over to the provincial Government in order to remove the sense of deprivation. The Committee of Foreign Affairs and Defence Chairperson Mr. Taimoor Shah (YP35-Punjab15) presented the committee recommendations on the Pak-US relationship. He was of the opinion that an enhanced bilateral coordination is needed to curb terrorism. Day 3: Senator Ishaq Dar; Leader of the Opposition in Senate was addressing at the 3rd day of the 3rd Session of Youth Parliament Pakistan. Presenting his analysis of the economy, Senator Dar criticized the PPP Government for borrowing money from domestic and foreign sources without a credible economic recovery plan of Pakistan. Pakistan has the lowest domestic saving of 5.8% compared to the 30-40%of the western countries. 60 paisas out of 1 rupee are being spent on debt-servicing which is simply not sustainable, he added. Reducing deficit and moving towards self-reliance are the only options for Pakistan’s economic future, he added. Senator Dar explained with statistics that the Government of Pakistan had spent more than Rs. 457 billion than the Parliament had allocated in the previous budget. Such supplementary spending levels are unacceptable and must be regulated, he added. He said that Pakistan can become a self-sustaining country only if it cuts down the unnecessary Government expenses. “I am allergic to the word of “discretionary funds” and never used any in my tenure as Finance Minister. No discretionary funds should exist even for the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Rs. 27 billion that have been kept as discretionary funds for the Prime Minister in the 2012-2013 budget should instead be used to resolve the issue of circular debt in energy sector, he advised. In term of financial opportunities for Pakistan, Senator Dar was of the opinion that Pakistan can benefit from the implementation of the Agricultural Tax by provinces which at the moment is very low and should be efficiently planned and imposed. Day 4: The Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry addressed the 4th batch of the Youth Parliament Pakistan that visited the Supreme Court. Parliament’s job is to legislate within the Constitutional provisions and Parliament cannot legislate against fundamental rights of the citizens as well as the Islamic principles of the Constitution of Pakistan, said the Honourable Chief Justice. Under the Constitutional scheme all institutions of the State must work together to ensure rule of law in the society, he added. Constitution of 1973 is a comprehensive document and there is no such problem that cannot be catered by the Constitution, believed the Chief Justice. “You are the face and future of Pakistan. I am deeply encouraged that you are politically trained in values and application of democratic principles under the able aegis of an institution such as PILDAT,” said Honourable Chief Justice. In an interactive Q&A following the Chief Justice’s address, Youth Parliament members posed questions relating to inherent jurisdiction of the Courts, pendency of the cases at the superior courts and at the lower courts and the system of audit at the Supreme Court. Youth Parliament members appreciated the role played by the superior judiciary in matters relating to production of missing persons especially in Balochistan. Day 5: Mr. Aftab Ahmed Chaudhary; Managing Director of Lahore Stock Exchange said that the Government should take effective steps to unleash the processes of innovation and enhanced international cooperation in order to ensure sustainable economic development. He was of the view that the recent financial crisis on international level was due to the lack of insight on the part of bank management. He was addressing the Youth Parliament members on the topic of Role and functioning of the capital market for the benefit of the economy.
Mr. Aftab Ahmad Chaudhry answered questions of the MYPs pertaining to financial literacy, the working of Stock Exchanges and how these can be beneficial for the growth of economy in Pakistan. Muhammad Umar Riaz (YP36-Punjab16), Youth Minister for Law Parliamentary affairs and Human Rights introduced a government bill to facilitate the journalists by ensuring their rights, dignity, welfare and protection. “Besides journalists, others exposed to intimidation or violence for expressing their views include human rights defenders, political activists and progressive religious leaders”, the minister added. Later, several private member bills were introduced proposing amendments in Pakistan Penal Code 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure 1890, National Commission of Human Rights Act 2012 and Charitable Endowment Act 1890. In the end, Ahmed Numair Farooq (YP21-PUNJAB01), Najeeb Abid Baloch (YP05-BALOCHISTAN03), Yasir Riaz (YP12-ICT02), Omair Najam (YP52-SINDH04) presented Standing Committee Reports in the Youth Parliament of Pakistan. Upon conclusion of the day's proceedings, Deputy Speaker Youth Parliament Ms. Sarah Abdul Wadood (YP19-KPK06) prorogued 3rd session of the Youth Parliament Pakistan session sine die. The 4h 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.
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Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of Pakistan |
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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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Mr. Aftab Ahmed Chaudhary; Managing Director of Lahore Stock Exchange |
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Youth Prime Minister Mr. Hashim Azeem (YP33-Punjab13), taking part in Legislative Business |
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© 2007-2012 Youth Parliament Pakistan |