Pakistan Parliamentary Debates Competition at LSE

On a more practical plane, freedom of speech serves many functions. One of its most important functions is that decision-making at all levels is preceded by discussion and consideration of a representative range of views.

Freedom of speech is also important to government because when criticisms of a government are freely voiced, the government has the opportunity to respond and answer comments and criticisms about its actions. It becomes the single most important right of citizens when looked at from the political perspective. Without free speech, no political action is possible and no resistance to injustice or oppression is possible. The development of a country is largely based on a stable and democratic government which unfortunately has never been there in the case of Pakistan.

One of the various forms of expression, the strongest and perhaps the most adopted from around the world is a debate. Its significance enhances when it comes to youth. The need to recognise that youth is an important part of the society and political starting point for addressing a number of issues related to political problems, including environmental and racial, gender discrimination, and disability. Youth invokes concern and understanding, which are crucial to shaping the civic capacity. The emphasis on young people’s experience is important because it is the basis of  the relationship between power and the way the lives of the citizens are shaped by material relations of power. More specifically, young people provide a more critical lens through which hegemony can be analysed, opinions mobilised, and politics engaged beyond local interests and national boundaries. Educators need a new language in which young people are not detached from politics but become central to it in terms of social and public responsibility. Educational institutions in Pakistan have been providing the youth ample opportunities to come forward and speak on issues of varied nature and importance. Lahore School of Economics recently became a part of the prestigious institutions which provide their students platform where they can voice their opinions and become a part of the developmental process. According to Miss Sidra Rana, a representative of the debating society at LSE, “Debates are important, so that the youth can speak and give their opinions. Such championships provide them a platform from where they can convey their ideas to the older generation and the government.”

To take their manifesto forward and to discuss what form of leadership is better, a debate was held at Lahore School of Economics titled ‘Strong dictatorship is better than weak democracy’. The championship was the 1^st Lahore School of Economics Association of Debates (LSEAD) All – Pakistan Parliamentary Debates Competition held from 12^th January   to 15^th January 2007 at Lahore School of Economics. Mr. Ahmad Iqbal the President of LSEAD chaired the championship. It was the first time that LSE participated and organized inter- collegiate debates. The competition followed the 3-on-3 Parliamentary Style used at the All Asian Championships a method used widely so that the youth can be trained for future debates at forums and in the parliament.

Twelve teams from all over Pakistan participated in this event. Mr. Sirtaj Aziz, former finance minister and presently, the Vice Chancellor of BNU, was the chief guest at the occasion. The schools and universities that sent their teams and adjudicators to the championship were Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI), King Edward Medical College, Pak College of Law (PCL), SISA, SICAS, Aitchison College, Government College University (GCU), Beacon House Margalla Islamabad, Beacon House Garden Town Lahore and two teams from Resource Academia. Finals were held on 15^th January 2007 in Amjad Chuadhary Library of the school. The teams that successfully mad it to the finals were (GIKI) and King Edward Medical University Lahore. The motion was “Strong dictatorship is better than weak democracy”. Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI) who spoke against the topic won the finals and King Edward Medical University (KEMU) finished second. The Judging Panel included renowned judges and debating coaches including Sir Wasif Mir, Ali Malik, Ali Siddiqui (all three of them have represented Pakistan internationally as the members of Pakistan National Team), Hassan Bilal (Mighty) and Anwar- ul-Haq.

Discussions and debates are not about winning or losing. What matters at the end are the opinions put forward which can help change the way people think. It is often said that power of the words is much greater and forceful as compared to the force of any weapon. What better way of using words than debates, where views are given in a most emphatic and passionate manner. One can go on and on while talking about the importance of youth in the process of decision-making, but the most important point to ponder on is whether they are given the opportunity to be a part of the political process so that the countries can prosper.