Islamabad: President of the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF), Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, MNA, held an interactive session at the Parliament House for participants of the Dustoor Civic Labs, aimed at providing young individuals with firsthand experience of parliamentary processes. The event, organized in collaboration with Edlytica, sought to enhance participants’ understanding of the Constitution and democratic governance.

According to National Assembly of Pakistan, the session included students from Bahria University Islamabad, Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences) Peshawar, and Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. They engaged with Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar and General Secretary YPF, Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani, MNA. The event was moderated by Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Special Secretary (Special Initiatives), National Assembly Secretariat.

Participants received detailed briefings on the Constitution of Pakistan, focusing on Articles 50, 25-A, and 37(e), which cover Parliament composition, the right to education, and social welfare provisions. The roles of YPF, Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights, and the Parliamentary Task Force on Sustainable Development Goals were also discussed.

The session addressed the historical context of Pakistan’s constitution, the contributions of Pakistani women to constitutional development, and emphasized the importance of understanding fundamental rights as societal responsibilities. Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar highlighted the necessity of constitutional awareness and responsible citizenship, advocating against out-of-court settlements that bypass legal accountability.

Explaining the objectives of the YPF, she underscored efforts to engage young legislators with the youth and establish provincial chapters in legislative assemblies nationwide. Youth Kacheris, platforms for student-parliamentarian interaction, were highlighted as initiatives to address youth concerns.

Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani shared experiences from his engagements with youth across Pakistan. He stressed the importance of education and dedication to societal progress, warning against divisive narratives and promoting national cohesion. He encouraged the responsible use of social media for constructive dialogue and positive narratives.

The session concluded with a Q&A segment, allowing students to engage with parliamentarians on constitutional and contemporary youth issues. A prize distribution ceremony followed, recognizing student achievements in university projects on themes like the Constitution and minority rights.