May 10, 2007	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 22, 1428

ISLAMABAD, May 9: The Youth Parliament on Wednesday criticised the government for the frequent electricity breakdowns. The youth body, which began its five-day third session through an unanimously adopted resolution, said the government was paying no attention to the power crises in Pakistan and that was a matter of grave concern.

Former speaker National Assembly Illahi Bakhsh Soomro presided over the session. Members of the Youth Parliament were of the view that the government’s policies were not in line with the needs and demands of the people.

Loadshedding was adversely affecting the public and was not a healthy sign for industries, they said and urged the government to take immediate steps to enhance power generation if it really wanted industrial growth in the country.

They also criticised the decision of handing over the Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation (KESC) to a German firm saying that the company was not handling it properly.

Members of the parliament were of the view that there was a need to strengthen ties with neighbouring countries. They particularly underlined the need to improve relations with India so as to pave way for settlement of the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

The parliament also discussed Pakistan’s role in the war on terror and observed that the country had done a lot to stamp out terrorism and must not be made a target of criticism in this regard.

Youth body condemned the ‘manhandling’ of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. A debate on the state of democracy will begin on Thursday, the second day of the session.