ISLAMABAD: The 18th Youth Parliament Pakistan held its final session in Islamabad on Saturday putting forth a powerful display of youth-led civic dialogue and policy engagement.

During the first session, links between climate change and extremism were discussed. The panel featured Malik Amin Aslam Khan, former federal minister for climate change, and MNA Sabheen Ghoury.

In his remarks, Mr Aslam said climate change was a risk multiplier for conflicts with the drying up of rivers being a key factor in current tensions between India and Pakistan.

MNA Ghoury stressed the importance of inclusive, consensus-driven policymaking on cross-cutting issues like extremism and climate change where all stakeholders, including youth, must be heard.Members raised questions about climate reparations and the effects of climate-led displacement and food insecurity. The panelists agreed on the need for international cooperation and compensation for climate change but argued that efforts must first be strengthened at home.

During the second session, former prime minister Shahid Khagan Abbasi spoke on how can the youth overcome political disillusionment and find hope in the face of radicalisation. With twothirds of the population under the age of 32, he described Pakistan`s youth as its greatest untapped asset, comparing its potential to that of China`s development model.

MrAbbasiadded,`TheConstitution is the bond between young people and the state.` He said if it was upheld it ensures rule of law, justice and inclusion. However, Mr Abbasi warned thatwithout quality education, resources, or political accountability, this bond weakens. He underscored the need for free and fair elections and genuine systemic reform.

Mr Abbasi said it was not some individual personality who could end disillusionment as solution lay with correcting the system and following the Constitution. If the state did not give fundamental rights to its youth, the youth would be radicalised. Members of the youth parliament questioned whether the Constitution remained relevant and how it could tangibly empower youth and what reforms were essential to rebuild trust. Mr Abbasi said rebuilding institutions and restoring democratic faith was a key to countering radicalisation and reclaiming hope. He called for deep introspection on the roots of disillusionment among the youth. Staff Reporter