The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in collaboration with the National Assembly of Pakistan organized a Seminar on Youth and Parliament at Beacon house School System Margalla Campus Islamabad on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. The Seminar was organized in relation to the visit high-level Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) delegation to Pakistan on the invitation of Hon Speaker NA Mr Asad Qaiser/ President PIPS BoG. The two members’ delegation currently visiting Pakistan was led by Acting Chair of the CPA, H.E. Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP UK House of Commons and Secretary General, H.E. Mr. Stephen Twigg, former UK Member of the Parliament.

H.E. Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger has been the Member of UK House of Commons since June 2001. He was elected as Vice-Chairperson of CPA in March 2021 and became Acting Chairperson in April 2021. This is the first visit of the incumbent Secretary General CPA, H.E. Mr. Stephen Twigg, to Pakistan since assuming office on August 01, 2020. A former Member of UK Parliament, Mr. Stephen has held Parliamentary portfolios from 1997 to 2005 and from 2010 to 2019.

The Principal of Beacon House College Programme Margalla Campus, Ms Ayesha Ansar welcomed the delegates as Head Girl and Head Boy of the College presented flower bouquets to the delegation. The event which began with the recitation of verses from Holy Quran along with English translation, was attended by around sixty (60) students enrolled in A-Level as well as IB courses as well as 10 members of the Beacon House Senior Campus faculty and staff in addition to National Assembly IPR wing and PIPS team. Ms. Ayesha Ansar, Principal Beacon House Margalla Campus, presented welcome remarks. She termed the interaction highly beneficial which will enable the students to unlock their full potential viz a viz leadership traits and social service. Secretary General CPA, H.E. Mr. Stephen Twigg, introduced the aims and objectives of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), which plays instrumental role in bringing together Parliaments across the Commonwealth including national as well as sub-national legislatures. He also highlighted the significance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on issues like health, education, climate change etc.

The Chief Guest of the Day, Acting Chairperson CPA, H.E. Mr. Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP from the UK House of Commons, emphasized the importance of individual determination for bringing social change. He encouraged the young people to establish career in politics. He also invited the participants to visit the United Kingdom and more specifically the House of Commons for better understanding of politics and parliamentary traditions. A highly interactive questions and answers session followed the keynote speeches in which students raised highly pertinent questions regarding politics, development and gender equality etc.

On behalf of Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Mr. Muhammad Rashid Mafzool Zaka, Director General (Research), presented vote of thanks. He dedicated the event which coincided with the International Day of Women to the sister of founding father of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mohtarama Fatima Jinnah who played instrumental role in mobilizing the Indian women for the cause of Pakistan. The event ended with the presentation of souvenirs and group photo. He narrated an anecdote on how the First Constituent Assembly of Pakistan (National Parliament) gave the title of the Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as the founding father’s 39 years of parliamentary life remained manifestation of “Live and Let Live,” human rights and social justice for all especially the poor and the minorities and always respecting everyone’s point of view following the maxi “WE AGREE TO DISAGREE,” as essence of democracy. The seminar conclude with the slogan of Long Live PAK-UK Friendship and Pakistan Zindabad!