LAHORE: The mock Afghan parliament at the Forman Christian College (FC College) University ended on Sunday.
Seeds of Peace, an NGO that brings together young people from conflict areas to promote better understanding and peace conducted the three day mock parliament. The session which started on November 25 aimed to replicate the structure and working of an Afghan parliament.
A group of 35 students from 13 schools of Lahore took part as members of parliament of Afghanistan also known as the Wolesi Jirga.
The first day of the mock parliament addressed the issue of NATO and the US invasion of Afghanistan. Representatives also discussed the psychological state of Afghan citizens following the US invasion. The ‘representatives’ discussed in detail the legal status of the Taliban as a political regime in Afghanistan. The second day saw discussion regarding the implementation of the Shariah Law in Afghanistan followed by a heated debate about the relations of the Afghan Taliban with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
On the third and final day of the mock parliament, the participants discussed the future of Afghanistan. The ‘parliamentarians’ acknowledged that the opium plantations and drug trade were an integral part of the Afghan economy and that the international community needed to view the situation with sensitivity and give the Afghan people time to eliminate drug production and develop alternative agriculture and industries. The mock parliament concluded with a resolution being passed to strengthen the Afghan economy and strengthen the infrastructure to rebuild the country.
Dr CJ Dubbash, the executive vice rector of FC College University, distributed prizes amongst the participants. Seeds of Peace Pakistan president Sajjad Ahmad thanked the participants for their contribution and hoped that parents would encourage their children to continue participating in such activities.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2011.
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