By: Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Members of the 17th Youth Parliament met in its virtual inaugural session to take oath, attend briefings and elect 19 Standing Committees and their office bearers. The oath was administered by Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President of PILDAT. The 17th Youth Parliament comprises youth representatives from 272 National Assembly constituencies in addition to 28 members from Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistani diaspora living in 130 countries of the world.
The first sitting of the virtual session included a detailed orientation of the programme conducted by the speaker of the house, Ms. Amna Kausar, Coordinator of Youth Parliament Pakistan.
Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) were enlightened about the aims and objectives of YPP, their role, code of conduct and other rules and procedures. The 17th Youth Parliament Pakistan will provide its members with exceptional opportunities to develop technical, communication and leadership skills needed for a successful career, gainful employment and to address the issues of today and tomorrow. Like previous Youth Parliaments, the 17th YPP will provide its selected members with exceptional opportunities of meaningful engagement with thought leaders and innovators with practrical recommendations on how young Pakistanis can learn to make informed decisions regarding their careers, understand global, national and local issues and to contribute to Pakistan’s development as enlightened citizens.
A specific briefing session on the importance and tasks of parliamentary standing committees was also given to the new members.
Later, the Youth Parliament elected 19 standing committees and their 76 office bearers. MYPs had earlier provided their preferences for the committees. The Standing Committees cover such subjects as Foreign Relations, Education, National Security, Health, Science & Technology, Climate Change, etc. Each Committee elected their four office-bearers including Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary and Joint Secretary through online voting.
Talking to The Dayspring, a member of the Youth Parliament and Deputy Chairman of the committee on Political Systems Mr. Sarmad Shehbaz Bhutta said that the platform is providing a rare opportunity for the youth to learn parliamentary practices and policymaking.
Another member, Mr. Danish Tariq said that to make a difference in the longer term, it is essential that young people are engaged in formal political processes and have a say in formulating today’s and tomorrow’s politics and this platform has given us the environment and the guidance to learn productive politics.