September 23; In a UNDP-PILDAT Sindh Youth and Young Legislators Provincial Dialogue held today in Karachi, Youth Representatives shared their detailed policy demands with MPAs.

Young representatives belonging to various disciplines from University of Karachi and young political activists presented their policy demands on the areas of Education, Harassment and the requirement to maintain a harassment register, need for effective local government system and how can young MPAs improve youth’s access to the Provincial Assembly of Sindh.

The 20 youth representatives were divided in 4 Groups. They included:

• Mr. Jawad Rind, University of Karachi, IR Department
• Nasir Ali Khan, Youth Activist, MQMP
• Ms. Hifza Khan, University of Karachi, IR Department                             
• Ms. Warda Ali Khan, Youth Activist, PTI                                               
• Ms. Ghazal Mari Baloch, Youth Activist, PPPP
• Ms. Rutaba Tariq, University of Karachi, IR Department
• Ms. Anam Qureshi, University of Karachi, Mass Com                              
• Mr. Javed Ali Soomro, Youth Activist, MQMP                                       
• Mr. Aashir Wilson, Alumini of University of Karachi                               
• Mr. Muhammad Nabeel Qazi, Youth Activist MQMP                               
• Ms. Ramisha Shoaib, University of Karachi IR Department
• Ms. Fiza Memon, University of Karachi, IR Department                           
• Ms. Hina Sohdar, University of Karachi, Mass Com                                  
• Mr. Amjad Hussain Jagirani, Youth Activist, PPPP                                
• Mr. Shakir Mehmood, Youth Activist, MQMP  
• Ms. Kanza Hanif, University of Karachi, Mass Com
• Syed Umair Ali, Youth Activist, MQMP                                                 
• Mr. Muhammad Shehryar Khan, Youth Activist, MQMP                          
• Mr. Fahad Ali, Youth Activist, PPPP                                                       
• Ms. Maria Amin, University of Karachi, IR Department.                          

Young MPAs deeply appreciated the clarity with which youth representatives highlighted and presented the issues faced by youth and those close to the heart of youth.

In an ensuing discussion between MPAs and Youth on Future Engagement Plan, it was agreed that the MPAs will work to invite groups of youth from various universities to witness the proceedings of the Sindh Assembly. They also pledged to stay involved with the youth by moving a resolution in the house to facilitate the youth interaction with the Sindh  assembly.

Welcoming the participants, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT said that formation of a youth Forum is essential to engage with the youth of the Sindh province and also informed that all other provincial assemblies and the federal legislature have functional Young Parliamentary Forums and Sindh Assembly should also formulate their Forum at the earliest.

The Young MPAs whojoined the forum included; Mr. Arsalan Taj, PTI, Mr. Shahryar Khan Mahar, GDA, Mr. Bilal Ahmed Ghaffar, PTI & Ms. Sharmila Farooqi, PPPP. Ms. Sarwat Fatima, TLP, Ms. Nida Khuhro and Ms. Sadia Javed joined the forum on line.

The dialogue was organised by PILDAT under a UNDP Project Build Leadership Capacity and Mainstream Young Men and Women in Policy Processes Leading to Inclusive and Pro-Youth Legislation.