We need system of competition and merit: Umar

Islamabad
PTI MNA from Islamabad Asad Umar has said that we need a system of competition and merit and not on who knows whom if we want to end social exclusion of youth in the country.
Umar was addressing a seminar on ‘Social exclusion of youth and its impacts on national development’ organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme.
He said that political parties have small role in youth affairs. He said that if you see cultural dynamics, we are in the forefront of Islam but the followers of the most tolerant person on earth want to violently fight each other.
Former ANP MNA Bushra Gauhar said that 2008 youth policy is confused and after devolution of the subject to provinces, we should discuss it to devise a new policy. She said that the previous assemblies had vibrant youth representation. She said that there is not total exclusion as student federations and youth representatives did exert pressures.
She said that abusing religion in politics to promote vested interest is not in the interest of the country.
Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI, in his inaugural address, referred to unemployment and underemployment problems of youth. He said that in 2010, a study on Punjab primary school indicated that students were good in Islamiat and Urdu and not in mathematics and sciences and the situation was not different in Sindh. He said that without achieving individual and human security, we cannot achieve regional, national and international security. He said that only 16 per cent resources go to social sector development.
Shakeel Ramay from SDPI said that our development agenda is very inclusive. He defined social exclusion as lack of belonging, participation, inclusion, recognition and legitimacy. If any aspect missing, people feel having excluded, he said. He said we should accept our failures that led to others’ social exclusion.
MQM MNA M Ali Rashid said that this is Ninja generation with no money or job. He said that youth should come forward to take opportunity.
He said his party has greatest youth representation. MQM was created by a student organisation, he said.
Maiza Hameed, MNA from PML-N, reading a written text said that young MPs contribute across party line on youth issues. She said that youth want to be represented not only in social but also political institutions. She said that the best way to restore confidence of the youth is to hold elections at local body levels across the country.