A delegation from the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) of the National Assembly, headed by President Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, MNA, met with the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan, Capt. (R) Abdul Khaliq Khan Achakzai, to discuss pressing challenges facing Pakistan’s youth and explore avenues for greater collaboration between national and provincial legislators. The visit focused on issues including unemployment, education, political polarization, and the empowerment of young people in Balochistan.
The meeting brought together members of the YPF and the Balochistan Assembly to deliberate on several critical topics. The YPF delegation highlighted rising youth unemployment and the alarmingly high number of out-of-school children, alongside concerns about security and the limited opportunities available for personal and professional growth in the province. Efforts to ensure inclusive education were stressed, particularly to safeguard vulnerable youth from negative influences.
Preparation for the upcoming YPF Grand Convention, set for early September, was also discussed. The delegation updated the Speaker on the development of a dedicated training team and ongoing work on policy resolutions, legislative bills, and amendments aimed at strengthening youth representation. Both sides agreed that close cooperation between the assemblies is essential to advance solutions for youth-related challenges, with the Balochistan Assembly Speaker pledging full support for these initiatives.
Additional discussions addressed the impact of the tribal system on youth opportunities and the perceived lack of equitable access to employment for young people in Balochistan. Attendees also voiced concerns about the negative image of the province’s law and order situation often portrayed by the media, in contrast with recent progressive developments. The delegation advocated for decisive action against the spread of misinformation and called for enhanced cooperation with the Federal Minister for Information.
YPF General Secretary Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani expressed concern about the insufficient media coverage of positive youth initiatives and the pervasive influence of misleading content across social and electronic platforms. President Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar emphasized parliamentarians’ roles in representing the aspirations of the country’s youth and reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to national development.
The delegation’s visit concluded with an official tour of the Balochistan Assembly Hall and Library, where members received a briefing on the library’s historical role and its contribution to informed legislative practice. The session underscored the importance of research resources and knowledge-sharing in supporting effective policymaking at the provincial level.
