ABOUT YOUTH PARLIAMENT
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q 1 . What is Youth Parliament Pakistan?
Youth Parliament Pakistan is a project conceived and executed by PILDAT under which Pakistanis between the ages of 18-29 years at the beginning of a year are invited to become members of the Youth Parliament Pakistan. The 8th Youth Parliament will give young members a fast-paced comprehensive orientation and training on democratic and political affairs of Pakistan, legislative processes and leadership skills. Youth Parliament aims to reach a greater number of young people, 60 each in 4 out of 5 sessions, thereby totaling 240 young members who will receive orientation and training in the 8th batch.
Back to TopQ 2 . Who is executing and supporting the Youth Parliament Pakistan project?
The Youth Parliament project has been conceived and is being executed by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency – PILDAT (www.pildat.org) which is an independent, non-profit and non-partisan think tank of Pakistan dedicated to strengthening democracy and democratic institutions in Pakistan. PILDAT is serving as the Secretariat of the Youth Parliament Pakistan. Youth Parliament Pakistan 2016 is supported by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Government of Denmark.
Q 3 . Is there a stipend or salary for members of the Youth Parliament Pakistan?
The Youth Parliament Pakistan is a membership-based project. It is not an employment or internship opportunity for Youth; therefore, there is no salary to be paid to those who are selected as members of the Youth Parliament Pakistan.
Q 4 . Would there be any Membership Fee for joining the Youth Parliament Pakistan?
There is no membership fee for joining the 8th Youth Parliament Pakistan 2016.
Q 5 . Who will bear my travel, food and accommodation expenses to attend the sessions?
Secretariat of the Youth Parliament Pakistan will make arrangements for travel, food and accommodation during sessions only for members travelling from outside Rawalpindi/Islamabad. At least one meal plus tea are also served daily for all members of YPP during sessions.
Q 6 . Can Overseas Pakistanis submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the Membership of Youth Parliament Pakistan?
Yes, young Overseas Pakistanis between the ages of 18-29 years on the date mentioned in the advertisement may submit EOIs for the membership. Young persons holding valid Pakistani passport but residing outside Pakistan under legal authorization of the country of residence, or those who themselves or both or one of their parents is of Pakistani origin and the young persons, though citizens of another country, holding a Pakistani Origin Card (POC) issued by the Government of Pakistan are eligible to submit EOIs as Overseas Pakistanis.
Q 7 . Who will pay for the travel costs for Overseas Members of Youth Parliament?
The Overseas Members of Youth Parliament and the Honorary Members will have to arrange for the travel costs and other expenses on their own. The Steering Committee will only provide for the travel costs for any organised visits during the Parliamentary sessions.
Q 8 . What will I do once I join Youth Parliament Pakistan?
Youth Parliament is a simulation of the Parliament of Pakistan. Its main objectives are to educate and train the Pakistani Youth about politics and democracy and to demonstrate to the Youth how the Parliamentarians are able to legislate, to debate matters of national and international concerns, to demand accountability from those in government, to discuss matters in committees, to change government without recourse to civil disorder and to make and enforce their own rules of conduct.
Q 9 . Will my Performance be evaluated?
The Youth Parliament Secretariat will monitor the performance of each Member of Youth Parliament in each session. The Steering Committee will review the status and will have the authority to make final decision about the performance of each member.
Q 10 . I do not have a domicile right now; can I submit EOI on my father's domicile?
Yes, you can submit your EOI for membership on your father's domicile but you have to present your own domicile at the time of the interview if you are short-listed to appear for interview. Membership of Youth Parliament Pakistan is roughly on same proportion as that of the National Assembly of Pakistan with the addition of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and therefore each province/geographical entity has a certain number of seats allocated. The membership on these seats, however, is based on open merit.
Q 11 . Where do I need to submit the completed Expression of Interest Form?
You have the option to fill Expression of Interest form in English and submit it online. If you have a slow Internet connection and / or are pressed for time, you can also save a PDF copy of English form and fill it on your computer and mail it to Youth Parliament Secretariat (address below) by the prescribed deadline.
Unfortunately, online submission of Urdu form is not possible. Filled out Urdu Form can only be mailed at P.O. Box listed below:
Youth Parliament Secretariat
P.O. Box 278, Postal Code 44220, F-8, Islamabad
For any further information, query or assistance, please email at info@youthparliament.pk
Before filling-out Urdu or English Forms, please carefully read introduction of the Youth Parliament Pakistan on both forms. You should fill out and submit Expression of Interest only if you understand and agree with the objectives and requirements of work relating to the membership of the Youth Parliament.
If you are mailing your filled-out forms to Youth Parliament Secretariat, four (4) recent passport size coloured photographs of the applicant must be attached to this application.
If you are submitting the English form online, then no need to upload or send your documents at this stage; it will be asked to upload or email once you are short-listed for an interview.
Back to TopQ 12 . How can I confirm that my EOI is submitted correctly online?
Once you submit your EOI, you will receive a confirmation message on your computer screen that will read: Record Submitted Successfully. You will also receive a confirmation email of EOI receipt. You can also re-confirm by entering your CNIC/POC number and system will return with your CNIC and Name.
Q 13 . Can I submit multiple copies of EOI such as both online and by post?
We strongly encourage you to only submit one EOI by your preferred method - either online or by post. Please DO NOT submit multiple copies; otherwise you may be disqualified.
Q 14 . How can I submit my Expression of Interest (EOI) for membership to the Youth Parliament Pakistan?
Advertisements for Expression of Interests for membership are placed in leading English and Urdu Daily newspapers prior to the start of the term in each year defining the process, guidelines and deadlines for each new batch of Youth Parliament Pakistan. The online Advertisements are also placed on leading English and Urdu newspaper websites, Youth Parliament Pakistan website and announced on its Facebook and Twitter pages.
Q 15 . What is the selection criteria for membership of the Youth Parliament Pakistan?
All Pakistani citizens who were 18 years of age and less than 29 years of age on the cut-off date mentioned in advertisement/Youth Parliament website are eligible to submit EOIs for membership of the Youth Parliament Pakistan. No bar is placed on educational qualification for membership. However, Urdu comprehension, writing and reading is declared necessary to submit EOI for membership of Youth Parliament. Any citizen with a criminal record is not eligible for membership of the Youth Parliament Pakistan.
Q 16 . Can Government Employees submit EOIs for membership of the Youth Parliament Pakistan?
Yes, all Pakistanis within the age of 18-29 years are eligible to submit EOIs for membership of the Youth Parliament. Government and other employees, however, are required to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) signed by their competent authority, alongside Expression of Interest Form. Those employed, be that in Government or private jobs, also need to specifically mention that they will be in a position to devote complete time to the Youth Parliament Pakistan session and related activities if selected for membership.
Q 17 . What is Youth Parliament Pakistan Steering Committee and what are its functions?
The Youth Parliament Pakistan Steering Committee has been formed by PILDAT to oversee the selection process and effective functioning of the Youth Parliament Pakistan project. The Steering Committee comprises serving Parliamentarians amongst others. Members of the Steering Committee are involved in selection process and overseeing the functioning of the Youth Parliament Pakistan.
Q 18 . What will be the process and venue of interviews for selection?
Selection process for membership is two-tiered. At the first tier, Expression of Interest Forms (EOI) will be evaluated and candidates are short listed for interview. Only those candidates are invited for interviews who will be short listed in the first round of selection. Interviews will be conducted mainly at Islamabad; however, given the number of short listed candidates from one region, interviews can also be conducted at provincial capitals. Choosing the venue of interviews is solely based on the discretion of PILDAT.
Q 19 . How is the Youth Parliament Pakistan structured?
As a model Parliament for young people, the Youth Parliament Pakistan is generally patterned after the National Assembly of Pakistan although its membership is smaller than that of the National Assembly. Wherever possible, the Youth Parliament Pakistan follows the rules of procedures as close to the National Assembly as practical. However, better practices from other Parliaments are adopted to expose Pakistani youth to better Parliamentary practices.
Q 20 . Does Youth Parliament Pakistan have its own Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business?
The Youth Parliament Pakistan has its own Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business drafted by learning from the National assembly Rules and from other Youth Parliaments around the world.
Q 21 . What is the venue of Youth Parliament Pakistan?
The sessions of the Youth Parliament Pakistan are held at a local hotel in Islamabad.
Q 22 . What will be the key functions of the revised model of Youth Parliament Pakistan?
Sessions 1-4 will cover training under a standardised curriculum as well as debate and presentations of policy recommendations by Members. A new batch of 60 people will be called in for each of the first four distinct training sessions.
Each of the first four Sessions will have four fixed areas of policy review. Participants will be intimated the themes for their respective session beforehand, and are to required to come to the session with prepared recommendations.
Only best performing MYPs, selected through a transparent Evaluation process, from the first four Sessions will be called in to participate in the 5th Batch. These members will also be invited to join in-country and regional study visits if these are organized during the term of the 7th YPP.
The Parliamentary Sessions will be generally patterned after the National Assembly of Pakistan in terms of its Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
Since Youth Parliament Pakistan is patterned after the National Assembly of Pakistan and its members, selected from across the country, engage in Parliamentary business including debate on important national issues, legislation, and overseeing and scrutinising key national policies from the youth's perspective. The well-researched and objective perspectives of the Youth Parliament Pakistan to various state and governmental policies that each batch offers to various Ministries and relevant Parliamentary Committees from time to time, was recognized at the highest policy level when the Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, invited two Youth Parliament representatives to present their views on draft National Education Policy in the Federal Cabinet meeting held on September 09, 2009. Each batch also prepares review of existing Government policies or offer recommendations to the Government on different policies. Youth Parliament members have also developed a Youth Manifesto which is updated by various batches from time to time.
Back to TopQ 23 . Will there be any special meetings or events at the sessions of the Youth Parliament Pakistan?
Special Events and Meetings are arranged during the sessions of the Youth Parliament Pakistan such as meetings with distinguished personalities including the Prime Minister of Pakistan, political leadership, Members of the Parliament, etc. Youth Parliament is addressed by national and international leaders on important issues during the year. Eminent experts and seasoned politicians are invited to train and educate the Youth on the current political topics.
Previously, the President of Pakistan, successive Prime Ministers of Pakistan, Chairman Senate, Chief Justice of Pakistan, former British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Federal Ministers, a number of dignitaries and political leaders have addressed and inter-acted with the Youth Parliament Pakistan.
Back to TopQ 24 . Can I take leave during the Youth Parliament Pakistan Sessions?
Members can avail up to a maximum of 1 day leave during the session only after submitting a leave application along with a proof for the reason of leave. A Member will risk losing his/her membership from the Youth Parliament Pakistan, if he/she is absent for more than 2 days or without a prior notice.
Q 25 . How will the Youth Parliament Pakistan project help Youth?
The Youth Parliament Pakistan project is an initiative to engage Pakistani youth in a healthy discourse and expose them to democratic process and practices. The Youth Parliament Pakistan is an initiative to inculcate democratic culture and spirit of tolerance for others' views among young Pakistanis. Additionally, participation in the Youth Parliament can train young people for a career in politics, if they so wish, or just to expose them to better understand the role of politics and democratic decision-making in Pakistan. The Youth Parliament Pakistan initiative allows the youth to express their views on a number of national, international, regional and local issues. This helps the society and the Government to better understand the concerns of the youth.
Q 26 . Is there a dress code to attend the YPP Sessions once I am selected?
Once selected, Members are expected to always wear formal attire. Members are at all times required to observe decorum of the House. Casual clothes and shoes such as Jeans and Sneakers, etc., are not allowed to be worn in the proceedings of the Youth Parliament Pakistan. A comprehensive orientation session will be conducted for each of the selected batch members to brief them about the Rules and Procedures and working of the training sessions.
Q 27 . Can visitors observe the proceedings of the Youth Parliament Pakistan sessions?
The Youth Parliament Pakistan has a Visitors Gallery where guests and any visitors are welcome to observe the proceedings of the training and Plenary sessions.