Have you ever witnessed a nation without new generation’s
voice that can either break or make a foundation? The answer would make you
shake your head in both directions with a simple ‘No’ in reply. History has
proved whenever there is oppression; there is always a voice or a force that is
ready to fight that cruelty and tyranny. That force is executed in the veins of
young people whose nerves instigate them to fight for the betterment of their
state.
My country Pakistan is facing through the same problem in
which the entire responsibility lies at youth’s shoulder to bring change raise
their voices against the terror and fear that has engulfed the entire nation
not only in disillusionment but also in chaos, impatience and frustration. In
order to fight for the right and to channelize their energy into positivity, the
youngsters need a platform that helps them to understand their capabilities and
potential for bringing a revolution in our homeland.
Let’s begin our journey with Jinnah’s quote which was
addressed to the youth in post partition era:
“You are the nation’s leaders of tomorrow and you must fully equip yourself by discipline, education and training for the arduous task lying ahead of you.”
“You are the nation’s leaders of tomorrow and you must fully equip yourself by discipline, education and training for the arduous task lying ahead of you.”
Advice
by the Father of nation still holds ground as current sociopolitical crisis in
Pakistan is continuously adding to responsibilities of youth. Growing severity
of these crisis demands extra attention and commitment from youth as they
constitutes a colossal chunk of population i.e. 63% of the population are less
than 25 years. Demographic analysis of Pakistan validates the significance of
youth in the future of Pakistan.
Pakistan is in transition phase of
sociopolitical evolution. The process gets decelerated by the limitations faced
by youth i.e. lack of access to education and employment etc. Recent freedom of
press and media, in relative terms, triggered political participation among all
demographic segments specifically youth. Youth want to do something for better
Pakistan specifically from the perspective of political crisis, but most of the
times they don’t know what to do. Continuous mounting of enthusiasm in educated
youth demands the gaps to be addressed properly.
As we all know youth was in dire
need of institutionalized formal training to develop political and legislative
sense which is remarkably being served by Youth Parliament Pakistan. The
project is executed by an NGO named PILDAT. It has been working to channelize
energies of youth to gear up the evolutionary process of development in
democratic process and practices since 2007 when the first batch of Youth
Parliament was inducted. Since then it has been investing for the future
leaders of Pakistan by training them in the norms of politics and democracy.
Sustenance of democratic institutions seems impossible without an active
political participant youth in Pakistan.
PILDAT has successfully executed
proceedings of three batches and the fourth one is still in house for the
tenure of one year. A batch of 60 members is selected for tenure of one year
who meets in Islamabad for the total of 25 days comprising of 5 sessions of 5
days each. The young parliamentarians meet to do legislation, bring up the
matters of national interests, exchange ideas to get at the solution of issues
and get them heard in a civilized manner. Meanwhile they get to meet renowned politicians,
thinkers and analysts which help them develop pragmatic approach towards
solution of issues. It is highly appreciated project among youth who intends to
join politics as career and wants to eradicate the feudal mind set up of those
politicians who are here to serve only on the basis of corruption.It is
designed to mock national assembly of Pakistan. It can rightly be termed as
nursery of future politicians.
Who says nobody is giving our youth
a chance, the chance to raise their voices is here. It’s the right time for them to come forward
and grasps these opportunities that can bring change in our country. It is true
even in bitter realties, the hope can never die.
