Minister for Youth Affairs Shahid Hussain Bhutto said 'Benazir Shaheed Volunteer Award' would be conferred on volunteers to recognise their social services. Talking to APP, the minister said the award is a tribute to the meritorious services of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed for the nation. "It aims at inculcating her ideals among the future generation," he added.
Bhutto said the award would motivate prospective volunteers to devote time to volunteerism, besides helping to create awareness on the importance of community services. The award would include a medal, certificate and cash, the amount of which is to be decided in consultation with the relevant ministries, and would be announced on December 27 every year with the investiture ceremony to take place on the birthday of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed on June 21 the following year.
"Volunteerism if recognised and exploited appropriately can contribute to society and economy in multiples." Volunteerism, he pointed out is ingrained in the Pakistani society due to the underlying ideals of Islam. "There is only a need for a national beacon to fill the gap in spirit and action," he said adding that the true potential of volunteerism had never been harnessed in the past.
The minister said for the current year, the nominations would be announced by the end of April-2009, adding that five awards would be given for services to humanity to outstanding persons from each province and three from Northern Areas, AJK, Fata and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
Shahid said the nominations would be invited on a prescribed format through nation-wide advertisements, while a high-powered committee comprising government functionaries and experts, headed by federal secretaries, would hold the initial scrutiny. He said the fields are not restricted, but would be regarding the services to community and humanity, and betterment of society.
Talking about the youth policy, the minister said the final draft is ready and the ministry intends to present it to the cabinet in January. "We expect that the policy will be approved in the same month." He said the previous government spent huge funds on the preparation of the past draft, but was never able to complete the task.
"The present government has prepared the new draft without spending any money in a short span of time, as it is one of our top priorities". Responding to criticism regarding the National Volunteer Movement (NVM) remaining inactive during the Marriott blast, and the fire incident at Gakhar Plaza, the minister said the ministry is planning to start new initiatives to make NVM an active organisation. "We want to involve more locals in NVM, so that it becomes the first one to reach the scene of disaster in any part of the country," he said.
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