December 1, 2020; UNDP-PILDAT in collaboration with UNFPA and Government of Canada facilitated a virtual capacity building session for the office-bearers and members of the Young Parliamentarians’ Forum on National Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
In a keynote presentation, Mr. Muhammad Mushtaq, Additional Secretary (Legislation), National Assembly, gave a detailed presentation to the YPF members on how to effectively utilise legislative tools available to them to to play their role effectively. He emphasaised that National Assembly is an open and transparent institution and young legislators must use the avenues available to them effectively to engage with and represent the youth of Pakistan and raise their concerns in their legislative duties. He also praised the initiatives of PILDAT and said that National Assembly has always welcomed partnership and provided information required.
Ms. Uzma Riaz, MNA and General Secretary of the Young Parliamentarians’ Forum appreciated this initiative by PILDAT and said that first-time elected and young MNAs require more and more avenues of capacity building.
Earlier, Ms. Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director, PILDAT, welcomed the participants and gave an overview of the activities planned for the capacity building of the Young Legislators in collaboration with the YPF. She explained that the initiative is part of a project titled Build Leadership Capacity and Mainstream Young Men & Women in Policy Processes leading to Inclusive and Pro-Youth Legislation, funded by UNDP-Pakistan.
Mr. Hamza Hassan, Senior Social Inclusion Officer, UNDP, gave an overview of the project and discussed that youth in Pakistan requires avenues of meaningful engagement with young legislators and policy makers and that the UNDP is happy to facilitate, through PILDAT, improving of the link between youth of Pakistan and the YPF. He also talked briefly about the policy impact of COVID-19 especially on the underprivileged sections of society, especially the impact on mental health on youth and women, increase in gender-based violence and lack of access to family planning services.
Following members of the Young Parliamentary Forum attended the virtual session:
- Kanwal Shauzab, MNA (PTI), Media Coordinator YPF
- Shazia Sobia Aslam, MNA (PPPP), Member YPF
- Shandana Gulzar Khan, MNA (PTI), Member YPF
- Munawra Bibi, MNA (PTI), Member YPF
- Wajiha Akram, MNA (PTI), Member YPF
- Rai Murtaza, MNA (PTI), Member YPF
- Uzma Riaz, MNA (PTI), General Secretary YPF
- Munawarra Bibi Baloch, MNA (PTI), Member YPF
- Mr. Atta Ullah, MNA (PTI), Member YPF
