Participants at the three-day National Youth Summit 2013 that concluded at Muzaffarabad on Sunday. PHOTO: EXPRESS
MUZAFFARABAD: The government should declare a youth emergency in Pakistan to ensure employment opportunities in both private and public sectors and better access to education. This was the crux of a discussion that ensued on the concluding ceremony of National Youth Summit (NYS) 2013 here on Sunday.
The resolution also urged federal and provincial governments to base their annual development plans on providing frequent opportunities of exchange to youth of all provinces, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to reduce the gaps, cultural integration and develop harmony.
The NYS 2013 aimed to enhance leadership capacity, build confidence, introduce youth to the social challenges, ensure intercultural and interfaith harmony and provide an opportunity to network with the youth from around the country. Hundreds of students aged 18 to 24 from across Pakistan participated in the event that was inaugurated by the AJK President Sardar Yaqoob Khan.
The summit encompassed 12 multi-dimensional sessions, addressed by leaders from various segments and professions, including political figures, youth leaders, and journalists. President AJK Sardar Yaqoob Khan, President Muslim Conference Sardar Atique, Deputy Speaker of AJK Assembly Shaheen Kauser, Minister for Rehabilitation AJK Abdul Majid Khan, Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Akbar Ibrahim, and Shireen Fatima, Member Legislative Assembly Gilgit Baltistan also addressed the Summit.
The participants urged the government to provide youth with uniform education by reforming the public institutions and improving the regulatory framework for the private sector educational institutions. They also asked for effective implementation of existing laws by reinforcing the judicial infrastructure in country from lower to higher court.
The resolution demanded government to announce youth emergency in Pakistan and ensure employment opportunities for 63% population of country (youth) by reforming the public sector and improving the private sector pro-youth reforms within country; provide for uniformity in educational system and syllabus all around the country.
The youth delegates also visited the AJK Legislative Assembly where the AJK Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Shaheen Kauser briefed them about the legislative working of AJK government and its functions.
The summit was an endeavour of ACT International with its partner organisations and Valley Trackers.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2013.
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