Rawalpindi-UNS : The role of young people in strengthening inclusive governance and public decision-making was highlighted during a public dialogue held at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University (PMAS-AAUR).
The event brought together a large number of students, faculty members, senior representatives of government institutions, and civil society leaders.
The dialogue focused on how youth can move from being passive observers to active contributors in governance. Discussions centred on inclusive decision-making, integrity in public service, digital participation, and citizen-centred governance.
Delivering the keynote address, Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), said that inclusive governance lies at the heart of democracy and that youth have historically played a decisive role in Pakistan’s political development.
The panel discussion was moderated by Mumtaz Mughal, Gender and Inclusion Expert and Director at the Aurat Foundation, and featured senior officials from federal, provincial, and local government institutions along with representatives from civil society.
Qaiser Mehmood, Divisional Coordinator at the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women, highlighted Punjab’s progress towards gender-responsive governance.
Speaking from a disaster management perspective, Bushra Hassaan Chaudary, Director Finance/ERRA Cell at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), discussed the evolving role of youth in disaster preparedness and response. She said that since the 2005 earthquake, Pakistan has shifted from a reactive to a proactive disaster management approach, with emphasis on early warning systems, scientific forecasting, and community-based preparedness.
Addressing digital participation and civic engagement, Sadaf Khan, co-founder of Media Matters for Democracy, pointed to persistent gaps in digital access, particularly for women and marginalised communities.
Representing the local administration, Rabia Aurangzeb, Additional Commissioner and Director at the ICT Administration, emphasised the importance of inclusive governance at city and district levels, describing youth engagement as a key element of responsive public service delivery.
Aliya Razak, Director Inclusion at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), shared insights into initiatives aimed at improving access to legal identity for marginalised populations.
Panelists encouraged young people to engage thoughtfully with public issues, strengthen media literacy, listen across differences, and recognise their individual responsibility in shaping democratic culture.
The dialogue was organised by Accountability Lab under the Integrity Innovation Lab, an initiative that works with youth, civil servants, and institutions to promote ethical, inclusive, and citizen-centred governance through dialogue, innovation, and evidence-based engagement.
In his closing remarks, Dr Javed Asad, Director Quality Enhancement Cell at PMAS-AAUR, said that individual actions matter, particularly in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
