Parliamentary procedures: Speaker underscores critical role of youth participation

ISLAMABAD: Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasised the critical role of youth participation in parliamentary procedures, democratic governance, and sustainable development.

The Speaker expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the SDG Youth Campaign/Training titled “Hum Hain Pakistan,” which was held at Parliament House, Islamabad, under the auspices of the SDG Parliamentary Task Force on Thursday.

The ceremony brought together parliamentarians, educational leaders, development partners, students, and representatives from various institutions to promote youth engagement and awareness regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Speaker said that the SDGs Secretariat was established as a focused and facilitative institution aimed at strengthening coordination between federal and provincial legislative bodies while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals across Pakistan. He highlighted the efforts undertaken to ensure uniformity of laws and institutional development among all provinces. He shared that the National Assembly has trained provincial legislative units for the establishment of various parliamentary caucuses, including Women’s Caucuses and Child Rights Caucuses, which are now functional in all provincial assemblies.

He stressed the importance of creating stronger linkages between federal universities and provincial educational institutions to promote research collaboration, youth engagement, and volunteerism. He encouraged students, research associates, and young volunteers to actively contribute towards national development and sustainable progress.

Shaista Pervaiz, Convener, SDGs, emphasized that sustainable development can only be achieved when young people are equipped with awareness, leadership skills, civic responsibility, and practical opportunities to contribute to their communities.

During the event, Dr Sultan AzamTemuri, Founding Director/CEO of the International Governance and Sustainability Institute (IG-SI), delivered a comprehensive presentation on the “Hum Hain Pakistan” SDG Youth Campaign and Training initiative. He explained that the campaign is a structured youth-led initiative designed to institutionalize SDG education and action across schools, colleges, and universities in Islamabad through a “Learning + Action” model. The initiative aims to transform students from passive learners into active change-makers.

Parliamentary Secretary for Information & Broadcasting, Barrister Danyal Chaudhry, said that it was encouraging to see public school principals at the centre of the dialogue, as they are the real drivers of meaningful educational transformation. He observed that while students in many private institutions have become increasingly familiar with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the same opportunities have not reached a large number of public school students across Pakistan.

Among the distinguished participants present at the ceremony were Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Barrister Danyal Chaudhry, Syed Ali Qasim Gilani, Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Maj Tahir Iqbal (R), Syed Hafeezuddin, Sher Ali Arbab, and Mehtab Akbar Rashdi.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026