Youth-focused policies stressed

Pakistan's youth makes up 65 per cent of its population, need for policymakers to focus on them discussed.

ISLAMABAD: Participants at a forum on Tuesday stressed the need for policymakers to focus on our youth, because they make up 65 per cent of the country’s population.

These views were discussed at the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) organised by the British Council at Pakistan National Council of Art (PNCA).

The young parliamentarians who participated in the discussion were, Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi, forum President Donya Aziz, Secretary General Anusha Rehman along with MNAs Nadeem Afzal Gundal, Sheikh Waqas Akram and Anisa Nasir.

Deputy Speaker Faisal Kundi introduced the forum’s key objectives. Firstly, to provide young parliamentarians with a platform where they can develop and share ideas, improve their legislative and leadership skills, and form inter-regional and inter-party networks. Secondly, to build direct linkages with young people in the country and encourage their political participation.

Dr Moheed Pirzada, moderator of the programme said that according to a report issued last year by the British Council, corruption and injustice in the distribution of resources posed a greater threat than terrorism for youth development. “There is no visible policy at the government level to cater to these 65 per cent youth of the country,” he added.

Dr Donya Aziz of PML-Q said that parliamentarians must make such legislations which ensure smooth development of the youth. She said that there must be an extensive youth forum where they can directly discuss and share their issues with policy and lawmakers.

She also suggested that an E-governance system be established to resolve issues related to youth and public through the internet.

Sheikh Waqas Akram of PML-Q said, “We must end corruption, it denies opportunities to the youth and promotes social injustice.” He added that other evils like terrorism were a product of frustrated youth.

Waqas said that parliamentarians should not confine themselves to their constituencies and instead highlight youth issues to make legislation accordingly.

Nadeem Afzal Gondal of PPP said that youth should not hold parliamentarians responsible for every evil and they must have confidence over the lawmakers. He said that media and civil society should identify the needs and role of the youth.

Anosha Rehman said that the parliament must develop laws, which could uninterruptedly facilitate the youth in their careers. She added that government should provide better opportunities for the youth to nurture their potential. There must be pro-youth policies aimed at bringing the youth in the mainstream of socio-economic development.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2010.