Youth parliamentarians urged to take part in policy-making processes

Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker of National Assembly has urged Youth Parliamentarians to take part in policy making process at the national level, saying the government and Parliament would encourage them in this regard. He said this while addressing the inauguration session of the fourth Youth Parliament Pakistan, here on Thursday.
Faisal Karim Kundi said the political parties can be credited with the performance of Parliament, which has passed three Constitutional Amendments and 95 bills, majority of which were passed with consensus. The performance of standing committees has improved in this Parliament and Public Accounts Committee is a good example of it. Politics is a thankless profession and in our country legislators are doing the work of local governments. The coverage of institutions such as the Parliament by the media has been very negative, which is unfortunate. He appreciated the work undertaken by Pildat with regard to legislative development and youth participation in politics and democracy.
There is a will to change in the people of Pakistan, which is a positive sign. The Kingdom of Denmark will not show you the direction but help you in achieving the direction you choose for yourself, said Uffe Wolffhechel Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan while addressing on this occasion. Ambassador said that his country could facilitate development in Pakistan, as there are many islands of excellence and there is a need to build a bridge between these Islands, said Wolffhechel. "Pakistan is a wonderful country. Go out there and make a change", he added.
Anusha Rahman Khan, MNA said that parliamentarians could not perform their duties completely because they are solving daily problems of their constituents. The role of the Parliamentarians is only of giving recommendations. The executive and bureaucracy take major decisions. She advised the youth parliamentarians not only to discuss constitutional and legal issues. Youth Parliamentarians should be focusing on issues such as Electoral Reforms. They should also take up the issue of Elections on a priority basis.
Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said that although the performance of Parliamentarians should be gauged on the quality of legislation, but it is unfortunate that elections are fought on the basis of development in the constituency of a legislator. Nadeem Afzal Gondal said that although politics is a meaningful profession, politicians are being blamed for everything. Politicians and political parties are very weak due to regular intervention in the democratic process, which is unfortunate.
Khurram Dastgir Khan said that we have to move away from stereotypes of politics. He said that being a public representative means that you have to look at issues from perspectives of the people, which can be different and contradictory. Politics is the mirror of the society and if you do not like the mirror do not blame it. Legislators not only have to legislate and provide oversight, but also have to represent their people.
Senator S. M. Zafar said that Youth Parliament is the future Parliament of Pakistan. Youth of Pakistan is thinking that education is necessary for progress which is very positive. An educated citizen can be a good citizen which is the ultimate goal. He further urged the Youth Parliamentarians to take decisions based on their conscience because they are the future leaders of the country.
Ahmed Bilal Mehboob said that the concept emerged as a way for young people to "learn by doing," through taking part in Youth Parliament. It was felt that practice on the benches of a mock Parliament can be useful in deciding how to become a more active citizen, either inside or outside formal politics.
He said that political parties have generally remained weak due to extended periods of autocratic rules and there is no mechanism to allow young entrants to a party to freely voice their opinions within the party structures. The inauguration session was also addressed by Uffe Wolffhechel Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, Engineer Khuram Dastgir Khan Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce, Nadeem Afzal Gondal Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, MNA, PML-N, Anusha Rahman Khan, MNA PML-N, Senator S. M. Zafar, Chairman Steering Committee of the Youth Parliament Pakistan, Wazir Ahmed Jogezai, former Deputy Speaker National Assembly and Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, Executive Director-PILDAT.