ISLAMABAD, Jan 25: Chairman Senate Mohammedmian Soomro inaugurated Youth Parliament Pakistan on Thursday. Basil Nabi Malik belonging to the Blue Party commanded the confidence of the house and was elected as youth prime minister. Mariam Raza Zaidi was elected as leader of the opposition, while Mehvish Muneera Ismail was elected as the deputy speaker of the youth parliament.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Soomro said the youth parliament was a unique project and a welcome step to engage the youth in positive political activities, adding he was proud to be the patron of the youth parliament.

He stressed on the youth MPs to focus on issues like voter awareness, importance of political process and future issues facing Pakistan such as environment, conservation of natural resources and population control, etc.

Mr Soomro said the role of youth parliamentarians was not just to legislate but to hold the executive accountable also.

He emphasised the importance of background research and preparation for MYPs for their work and advised them to be brief and concise in their speeches.

“Speak and listen,” he advised the youth MPs during the proceedings of the youth parliament.

Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, executive director PILDAT welcomed the MYPs and guests and said the youth parliament, a project conceived and implemented by PILDAT, had 60 members.

There are two mock parties — the Blue Party (liberal) and the Green Party (traditional). Incidentally, the Blue Party formed a majority in the youth parliament bagging 36 seats as opposed to 24 seats held by the Green Party.

Senator S. M. Zafar, chairman Youth Parliament Steering Committee, said he was confident that the youth parliament would set a precedence in parliamentary performance that the national parliament would like to emulate.