Islamabad, November 07: The Youth Parliament Pakistan, a PILDAT initiative to inculcate the culture and values of democracy in youth of Pakistan, has now initiated its induction process for the fifth consecutive term.

Young Pakistanis, or holders of Pakistani Origin Card, who are minimum 18 years to maximum 29 years of age on January 01, 2013 are invited to submit Expressions of Interest online at www.youthparliament.pk through the prescribed form to become a Member of the Youth Parliament Pakistan 2013. The Expression of Interest Form, in Urdu or English, can be accessed here, obtained from PILDAT Offices in Islamabad and Lahore. The Last Date for receiving complete Expression of Interest Form is Saturday November 24, 2012.

The Youth Parliament initiative, undertaken by PILDAT, trains young Pakistanis in values of engagement through reasoned dialogue, the use of researched facts beyond simple perceptions, the ability of tolerance of others views and a deeper understanding of Pakistan itself, its various regional issues and perceptions, and finding practical solutions to those problems.

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.

An independent Steering Committee comprising veteran and young members of Pakistan�s Parliament will lead the selection process. The Steering Committee includes Senator S. M. Zafar as chairman, while the other members include Mr. Wazir Ahmad Jogezai, former Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan, Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, MNA, Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan, Patron Youth Parliament Pakistan; Mr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, MNA, Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce, Ms. Anusha Rahman Khan, MNA, Secretary Young Parliamentarians Forum, Mr. Nadeem Afzal Gondal, MNA, Chairman Public Accounts Committee, and Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, Executive Director PILDAT.

The Youth Parliament follows its own two-Party System, an elected Leader of the House or Youth Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, a Youth Cabinet, a Shadow Cabinet and Standing Committees. Youth Parliament members are also twined with their respective members of the National Assembly of Pakistan in their constituencies and work in close coordination with National Assembly Standing Committees. Among other subjects, a training workshop on counter terrorism and extremism has also been held for this batch focussing on young people�s abilities to engage in a reasoned dialogue as opposed to violence.

Youth Parliament is addressed by national and international leaders on important issues during the year. 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.

The Youth Parliament Pakistan project is currently supported by the Royal Danish Embassy, Islamabad in recognition of the importance of young people's involvement in democracy and democratic practices in Pakistan.

Selection Criteria and other details are available at the www.youthparliament.pk. For any queries or assistance, please e-mail at eoi@youthparliament.pk