Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) organised a five-day orientation on the “Constitutional Frameworks of Pakistan and the Role of Legislators” for the registered Afghan refugee students at the PIPS Campus in Islamabad, from 15 to 19 August 2022. The orientation was specially designed for the Afghan students enrolled at universities across Pakistan who are receiving scholarships under the Hanns Seidel Scholarship Program (HSSP). It was a collaborative endeavour between the PIPS, the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) Pakistan, the National Dialogue Forum, and the National Assembly (NA) of Pakistan.
Mr. Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Additional Secretary, NA Secretariat, advocated educating the young Afghan university students facilitated under the HSSP, on democracy to strengthen their democratic skills. He added:
Exposure to Pakistan’s democratic governmental structure will, in the long term, catalyse the peaceful coexistence and regional stability of the Pakistan-Afghanistan region.
Dr. Steffen Kudella, Resident Representative of HSF Pakistan, stressed in his opening remarks that education is the most sustainable form of political stabilisation, and this idea is reflected in the form of HSSP. Further, he added:
This training is being organised for you, to educate you about Pakistan’s parliamentary and constitutional systems, strengthen your democratic skills, and enable you to better understand your role as social multipliers for regional stability.
He continued:
Democracies require parliaments because parliaments reflect the interests of the people; they ensure that laws benefit everyone.
This five-day orientation sought to provide participants from different study backgrounds with a thorough introduction to Pakistan’s constitutional framework and the responsibilities of legislators, as well as information about governmental structures. While responding to the student's questions, eminent specialists from the NA, PIPS and other governmental departments shared their knowledge and important experiences. The workshops were designed to be interactive in order to stimulate participation and increase student involvement.
On a guided visit to the NA of Pakistan, the Afghan students walked across the Senate Museum, Gali-e-Dastoor, Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Secretariate, the NA Hall, and the Library. Ms. Mahira Rafique, Deputy Director, Special Initiative Wing, NA, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Convener, National SDGs Taskforce, and Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Treasurer, WPC, greeted the Afghan students and briefed them about their respective roles.
The workshop was attended by 22 HSSP scholarship holders from around Pakistan.
HSSP aims to support talented Afghan students in Pakistan in contributing to the rebuilding of their home country when returning to Afghanistan. The students are officially registered as refugees in Pakistan and enrolled at Pakistani universities. In line with the policies of the Government of Pakistan, HSSP offers financial grants, conceptual support, and professional development opportunities.
You may find event photos and more details at twitter.com/HsspPakistan. For more information on NDF please visit ndf.org.pk and HSF Pakistan pakistan.hss.de.