28 November 2004	Sunday	15 Shawwal 1425

KARACHI, Nov 27: The proposed draft youth policy for the year 2004 as framed by the federal government came under detailed discussion at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim here on Saturday.

Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Mohammed Ali Durrani, highlighted the salient features of the proposed policy and gave a briefing to the chief minister. He said that copies of the draft policy had been sent to all members of the parliament, members of sports organizations, government officials and other people concerned so that a comprehensive policy could be framed in the light of their suggestions and proposals.

The meeting was informed that there were 60 million youth in Pakistan including 52 per cent boys and 48 per cent girls. Of them, 64 per cent were in rural areas and 36 per cent in urban areas. The meeting was told that over all, 63 per cent girls and 37 per cent boys were uneducated.

The programme envisages creation of awareness and confidence in young generation and to utilize their talents for economic improvement and stability of democracy besides highlighting the principles of faith, unity and discipline.

Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim said that children should be attracted towards education in the first phase and after reaching the youth age, they should be involved in other constructive activities. He also underlined the significance of character building of the youth and said the youth policy and media should work together which would greatly help steer the new generation on a positive course.

Under the youth policy, he said, the development funds would be spent on establishment of libraries, development of playgrounds and promotion of Information Technology.

The chief minister also emphasized that the policy to be chalked out must commensurate with the national ideology, Islamic identity and traditions.

Mohammed Ali Durrani informed the meeting that the next year would be observed as "Year of the Youth". After approval of the policy, youth centres would be established in the country and steps would be taken for youth sports and provision of proper facilities to them, he said.

He said that keeping the chief minister's suggestions in view, the ministry of sports and youth affairs would organize speech and quiz contests, qirat and youth sports competitions. -APP