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Youth Parliament Pakistan Study Visit to UK: July 19-25, 2009

MYPs Exchange Candid Views with British MP Shahid Malik; learn about the Democratic Audit

London, July 23; Members of the Youth Parliament Pakistan (MYPs), currently on a Study Visit to London, had a candid exchange of views with British MP Mr. Shahid Malik, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and the Local Government on a variety of issues ranging from Britain’s relations with Pakistan, the freedom and liberty available to Muslims in the UK and the recent arrest of Pakistani students studying in the UK.

The MYPs were part of an interaction today at the Department of Communities and the Local Government, UK where they also met with the Young Muslim Advisory Group (YMAG). The YMAG, ranging in age from 16-25, works directly with the UK Government to help deepen its engagement with young Muslims. The advisors talk to ministers and policy makers first hand about the issues affecting their day to day lives. The YMAG members present at the meeting included Ms. Arzoo Ahmed, 22 from East Didsbury, Manchester who recently graduated from Oxford University with a physics degree; Ms. Farah Elahi, 20 from Willesden Green, London, and an undergraduate at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) studying Economics and Development studies and Ms. Sabiha Iqbal, 18 from Heaton, Bradford and currently studying at the Leeds University. The MYPs and YMAG members discussed a range of issues including the format and areas of work of the two respective groups, various methodologies employed by both to carry out their specific objectives, the challenging facing the Muslim community in the UK and the future of Pakistan. Both sides agreed that a deeper interaction between the two groups will be especially helpful in tackling areas of mutual concern and focus in the two countries.

In another meeting at the Cambridge University, the MYPs were briefed about the work of the Democratic Audit, a research organisation of scholars, lawyers and journalists that conducts original research into the quality of democracy and political freedom in the UK. Professor Stuart Weir, former Associate Director of the Democratic Audit for 15 years and a Visiting Professor with the Government Department at the University of Essex, talked to the MYPs in great detail about the work of the Democratic Audit and its contribution in handbooks on democracy for the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, the latest being Assessing the Quality of Democracy: a practical guide and a variety of books and reports for the Audit. The MYPs discussed in detail the idea of democracy and good governance.

The Youth Parliament Pakistan Study Visit to UK that is taking place from July 19-25, 2009, is facilitated by PILDAT. The delegation includes Mr. Ahmed Ali Babar, YP21-Punjab02, Youth Prime Minister; Mr. Muhammed Essam Rehmani, YP51-Sindh03, Youth Leader of the Opposition; Mr. Abdullah Khan Leghari, YP48-Punjab29, Member, Youth Parliament Standing Committee on Information; Mr. Ahmad Noor, YP08-FATA01, Chairperson, Youth Parliament Standing Committee on Information; Mr. Farrukh Jadoon, YP13-NWFP01, Member, Youth Parliament Standing Committee on Education, Health and Environment; Ms. Kashmala Khan Durrani, YP03-Balochistan01, Deputy Speaker, Youth Parliament Pakistan; Ms. Maria Ishaq, YP26-Punjab07; Chairperson, Youth Parliament Standing Committee on Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs; Mr. Muhammad Abdullah Zaidi, YP53-Sindh05, Member, Youth Parliament Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence; Mr. Shahbaz Zaheer, YP63-ICT03, Member, Youth Parliament Standing Committee on Finance, Planning Affairs & Economics; Syed Muhammad Nishat-ul-Hassan Kazmi, YP20-Punjab01, Shadow Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Youth Parliament Pakistan; Dr. Umair Farrukh Raja, YP36-Punjab17, Chairperson Youth Parliament Standing Committee on Education, Health and Environment; Mr. Waqar Nayyar, YP05-Balochistan03, Chairperson, Youth Parliament Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, Member & Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan and Member Youth Parliament Pakistan Steering Committee is part of the delegation while Ms. Aasiya Riaz, Joint Director, PILDAT and Mr. Hammal Dostain, Programme Officer, PILDAT represent the Youth Parliament Pakistan Secretariat. The Study Visit is supported by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office through the British High Commission, Islamabad.
 

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