Youth urged to join public sector to understand how govt works

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has offered the Ida Rieu Welfare Association (IRWA) to hold the next meeting of the differently abled youth parliament in the council hall of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).

Wahab said that the idea of inclusivity for development and improvement can create a society where there is no room for any kind of discrimination as per Article 25 of the constitution. He said that things would change with new and young minds coming into politics and the government sector, and the trend of bringing everyone together would grow.

He made these remarks while addressing as the chief guest of the closing session of the first Ida Rieu Inclusive Parliament organised by the IRWA. He offered the association to hold the next meeting of the youth parliament in the council hall of the KMC. “We will provide all the facilities for the meeting.”

The mayor said people with different abilities are valuable to society. He said that if they participate in policymaking and decision-making in the government sector, especially at local government level, the problems in society will start being fixed automatically.

He also said participation in the youth parliament under IRWA would awaken the desire among the youth to participate in central politics and the public domain.

“I will invite the Ida Rieu Inclusive Youth Parliament to the KMC next year. Unfortunately, young people tend to avoid going into the government sector.”

Wahab said that unless they work in the government sector, how will they know what is policymaking, how decisions are made, what is politics and what is bureaucracy.

He said that as a political activist he wants them to step up and see how the government system works or why the government system does not work.

“I have seen here guests coming in wheelchairs and people pushing them. I think that all these aspects are not taken care of in our local government affairs, so we need young and determined leadership to correct all these things.”

After serving the blind and hearing impaired people for more than a century, the IRWA has taken the initiative to start a comprehensive youth parliament, which will be a catalyst for social development and mutual unity.

The youth parliament will help them unite, overcome barriers, eliminate discrimination and move forward with a common vision for the development of the country.

IRWA President Nadira Panjwani said on the occasion that their youth parliament wants to unite the diverse voices of the youth so that they transcend all differences and work for an inclusive and equal society where every youth is a valued member, an informed advocate and an agent of positive change, regardless of physical challenges.

“We aspire to break down barriers, eliminate disparities and ensure equal access to opportunities, resources and platforms for personal and collective growth of the nation’s youth.”