PILDAT and UNDP Pakistan organized a 'youth dialogue on democratic and peaceful governance and sustainable development' in which representatives of five major political parties of Pakistan engaged with youth representatives in a robust discussion on how to bring together a cross-section of Pakistan's youth to interact with key political parties, decision makers including governments, elected representatives, think tanks, citizens groups and media on a number of themes.
Ms. Aasiya Riaz, PILDAT Joint Director, moderated the dialogue. In his welcome address, Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT, said Pakistan has one of the highest proportions of youth population in the world. He said it is the need of the day to inspire youth to constructively engage in national affairs including political participation through informed voting based on objective review of party pledges.
Responding on behalf of PML-N, Senator Shaheen Khalid Butt said that PML-N had created two million jobs and aimed to create three million more jobs in the coming term, increased proportion of female students and faculty and allocated three billion rupees to support 1300 PhD students. He also claimed that PML-N had promoted entrepreneurship to support youth jobs in the country.
Ms. Faiza Malik of PPP said his party focused on eradicating ghost schools from Sindh and the party's aim in future is to improve quality of education, creation of employment and youth development. She reiterated PPP's promise to introduce vocational training centers to cater to unemployed youth. She also vowed to bring recognition to youth through talent hunts.
Walid Iqbal of the PTI said the party had delivered on the 2013 promises in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including reforms in education, health, police and local government. Mian Usman Javed of JI stressed on the importance of having gender specific courses which can better cater to youth and empower youth through promoting social entrepreneurship programmes, among others. Rizwan Mumtaz Ali from the PML talked about party's governance from 2002-2007 and said the party would reconnect its efforts for creation of jobs, youth development and other national issues.