Islamabad, January 01, 2009; Youth Parliament Pakistan agreed with the policy suggestion of Prof. Laeeq Ahmed Khan, Renowned Educationist and a Guest Speaker on the State of Education on the second day of the second session, that a National Commission on Education should be set-up in the country to supervise the quality, a consistent curriculum and various education systems in the country. Prof. Laeeq Ahmad was of the view that the diversity in education systems reflects democratic spirit and is a healthy trend since it provides safety net to those who cannot afford expensive options as well as those who prefer a set ideology and mode of education for their children.

The Youth Parliament Pakistan, a project conceived and implemented by PILDAT, held its second day of the second session in which the house mainly discussed the state of education in Pakistan. The Youth Parliament adopted a join resolution, moved by Mr. Ahmed Javed (YP23-PUNJAB04), that avenues for improving vocational and technical education in the country should be increased as doing so would enable the country with nearly 150, 000 jobs opportunities per year in addition to USD 3.5 billion worth of remittances. The house also believed that no industry can prosper without proper technical and vocational education.

On another motion, however, consensus could not be reached. Mr. Muhammad Sadan Nasir (YP06-BALOCHISTAN04), Mr. Usman Ali (YP18-NWFP06), Ms. Sor Fabha Alvi (YP14-NWFP02) and Mr. Bilal Ahmed (YP24-Punjab05) moved a motion requesting the house to discuss the need for implementing a uniform education system. The house witnessed intense debate arguing that this should not be the case. The motion was thus referred to the Youth Parliament Standing Committee on Education for further discussion.

Mr. Wazir Ahmed Jogezai, Former Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan presided over the House while dignitaries such Dr. Ashfraf Chaudhry, MP, New Zealand Parliament, who is visiting Pakistan on PILDAT invitation and Senator S. M. Zafar, Chairman Youth Parliament Steering Committee also witnessed the proceedings of the house from the visitors� gallery.

The house was adjourned till 09:00 am tomorrow, Friday, January 02, 2009. The session will discuss the subject of the Independence of Judiciary and Mr. Hamid Khan, Former President Supreme Court Bar Association, will be the Guest Speaker.