ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT): The Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) hosted a transformative National Meet titled “Creating Enabling Environment for Meaningful Youth Participation” as part of the 18th Speakers’ Conference at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Islamabad, today. The event commenced with welcome remarks by the Honourable President of YPF, MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, who warmly greeted esteemed participants, including parliamentarians, delegations from provincial & state assemblies, members from civil society, experts, and law students.
In her keynote address, President YPF, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar underscored YPF’s significance as a pivotal platform for legislators under 45 years of age. She stated that YPF cultivates expertise in leadership, policymaking, and parliamentary governance, while fostering inter-party and regional networks. Representing over 200 members nationwide, YPF has spearheaded legislative initiatives in education, employment, health, and civic engagement, she added. She also highlighted the urgent need to counter misinformation and promote media literacy, responsible citizenship, and patriotism among the youth to mitigate political polarization.
YPF members engaged in an interactive dialogue with an esteemed panel, emphasizing YPF’s potential as a leading voice for youth empowerment. The session delineated strategies to enhance youth participation in decision-making and outlined a roadmap to address challenges faced by young people.
Panelists, including Mr. Zafarullah Khan, Syed Ali Hameed and Ms. Tahira Naimat, stressed the importance of drafting and passing youth-centric legislation to foster political empowerment and develop youth-friendly policies. The participants advocated for dedicated budget allocations to address youth-related challenges and invest in programs promoting their well-being.
Former President YPF, MNA Syed Ali Musa Gillani, along with other members of YPF, MNAs Ms. Kiran Imran Dar, and Mr. Ammar Ahmad Khan Leghari shared their journeys as young leaders. These personal anecdotes inspired participants, illustrating the transformative role of youth in shaping a dynamic and inclusive democratic future.
The National Meet concluded with YPF consolidating findings into draft recommendations for endorsement by the House. Key recommendations included establishing a complaint cell for youth grievances, conducting independent reviews of government bills to address post-legislation gaps, incorporating the Constitution of Pakistan as a mandatory university subject across Pakistan, mandatory parliamentary business training for young legislators, enforcing measures to curb misinformation and fake news on social media, launching mass awareness campaigns to reduce socio-political polarization and radicalization.
These actionable recommendations from YPF Members aim to enhance youth engagement and empowerment, reflecting YPF’s unwavering commitment to building an inclusive, progressive, and peaceful Pakistan.
