Islamabad, December 30: Youth Parliament Pakistan 2008-09, a PILDAT initiative, is holding its Second Sessions starting from Wednesday, December 31, 2008 till Sunday, January 04, 2009. The Session will take place at Islamabad. While discussing key topics such as education, judiciary and economy, the Youth Parliament has invited speakers such as Prof. Laeeq Ahmad Khan, Renowned Educationist, to speak on the State of Education; Mr. Hamid Khan, Former President, Supreme Court Bar Association, to speak on the Independence of Judiciary and Mr. Salman Shah, Former Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, to discuss the State of Economy in the country. The session will also discuss the recent Mumbai Bombings and the security situation arising out of the ongoing escalated conflict between Pakistan and India. Mr. Illahi Bukhsh Soomro, Former Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan and Mr. Wazir Ahmed Jogezai, Former Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan, have graciously agreed to preside over the 5-day session.

Daily proceedings of the Youth Parliament Pakistan will be aired on Geo TV network, exclusive partner of PILDAT for Youth Parliament Pakistan.

This term the Youth Parliament Pakistan would also be launching a Crisis Management Simulation Exercise for the MYPs which will be conducted in each of the remaining three sessions. Selected Members of the Youth Parliament Pakistan will also undertake a Study Tour to the British Parliament in the summer of 2009.

Youth Parliament Pakistan (YPP) is a platform of Pakistani Youth patterned after the National Assembly of Pakistan with 60 members from all over the country. The Youth Parliament has a one-year term and meets for 30 days over 5 sessions in Islamabad. The Youth Parliament has its own 2-party system, Leaders of the House and Opposition, a Cabinet, a Shadow Cabinet and Parliamentary Committees. Prime minister of Pakistan, Chairman Senate, Chief Justice of Pakistan, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Federal Ministers and political leaders have previously addressed the Youth Parliament Pakistan 2007.

Conceived, created and facilitated by PILDAT, the Youth Parliament Pakistan also has an independent Steering Committee that overseas the selection process and working of Youth Parliament. The Steering Committee includes notable persons such as Senator S. M. Zafar, Chairman Youth Parliament Steering Committee & Chairman Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights; Mr. Wazir Ahmed Jogezai, Member; Former Deputy Speaker, National Assembly of Pakistan; Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, MNA, Member, Deputy Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan; Dr. Donya Aziz, MNA, Member; Engr. Khuram Dastgir Khan, MNA; Member; Mr. Kabir Sabar, Member; RBS Global Banking and Markets; Young British Politician; Ms. Sarah Parvez, Member, British High Commission, Islamabad and Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, Member, Executive Director, PILDAT.