GUJRAT: A ‘model Council of Common Interests’ (CCI) put the lingering issues of devolution from the centre to the provinces back on the front burner, suggesting plausible measures in four simulation sessions organized by the Department of Political Science and International Relations here at Hafiz Hayat Campus of the University of Gujrat (UoG) on Wednesday.
With a view to promoting awareness among the students about the functioning of the CCI as well as the democratic culture of dialogue and discussion, the activity had the collaboration of the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and ample support of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) and the Senate.
As many as 40 students comprised four groups of 10 students each for the simulation purposes, complementing an earlier workshop that acted as a prologue to today’s debating simulation sessions.
The four simulation sessions were held under the vigilant but compassionate gaze of the Chairperson of the department Prof. Dr Muhammad Mushtaq. The jury consisted of senior academics Dr Adil Zaman, Dr Shumaila Rafiq and Muhammad Mustansar Billah Hussain, with Shahzada Afzal moderating the proceeding.
The model CCIs of students discussed in detail the current issues with regard to the provincial devolution and suggested various plausible measures. The discussion covered the topics of higher education, health, natural resources and the youth and women empowerment.
Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr Faisal Mahmood Mirza distributed certificates among the participants. He was flanked by Dr Sultan Mubariz Khan and Dr Muhammad Ramzan Shahid. The five candidates short-listed by the jury will participate at the provincial level of debating democratic devolution contests.
