Pakistan Youth Hostels Association

Formation of Association In Pakistan

In Pakistan , a Youth Hostels Committee was appointed by the Punjab Government to re-organize the Association. The Pakistan Youth Hostels Association was formed in December 1951. Mr. E.K. John Catchpole of the International Youth Hostel Federation was specially invited in the inaugural function. Later, Pakistan Youth Hostels Association was affiliated with the International Youth Hostel Federation, and the first Youth Hostel in Pakistan was constructed in 1951-52 in Bhurban, under the patronage of Mr. U. Karamat, the then Vice Chancellor of Punjab University.

CHARACTER OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Pakistan Youth Hostels Association is a non-profit, non-political, voluntary body which is financed by PYHA Trust private contributions and by the Government of Pakistan. It has a private voluntary character in the sense that it determines its own policy, is wholly self governing, gives its members a share in leadership, is not subject to State direction or control and derives its discipline through mutual consensus, as is inherent in all private voluntary associations. It is registered under the Societies' Act 1860 and is recognized by the Government of Pakistan as a national organization for promoting youth hostelling in the country. It is governed by its Constitution.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Association are

1	To set up youth hostels which provide inexpensive shelter as a means of encouraging travel by young people, particularly the students to the places of historical, recreational and cultural interest, inculcate among them love for the Country and to encourage inter-Provincial visits and provide recreational facilities as well;
2	To promote better understanding between town and village dwellers and people of various regions;
3	To develop the tourist potential of the country and to assist in popularizing, among the people, sites of tourist value and importance.
4	To promote better international understanding of each others economic and historical problems, among the youth of members countries, in accordance with the rules of the IYHF and the Law in Pakistan;
5	To organize workshops, seminars and leadership training programmes for the budding leaders of the country; and
6	To make them law abiding citizen the country;
7	Any other object which the Association may adopt in conformity with the laws of the land and the rules of the International Youth Hostel Federation.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee is the main governing body of the Association and performs all acts necessary for the proper and efficient maintenance, control and administration of the youth hostels including construction and maintenance of the youth hostel buildings. In addition, the Executive Committee institutes, defends cased, prepares and sanctions the budget, approves annual statement of accounts and performs any other function and task which may be assigned by the General Body of IYHF or a sister agency to promote the cause of the Association. It is also responsible for the proper maintenance of the funds of the Association accruing from various sources.

The members of the Executive Committee are elected by the General Body for a period of four years. The founding members and trustees are also given representation at the Committee. The committee elects its own Chairman and other office bearers of the Association from amongst is held normally once every three months but the Chairman of the Committee may call an emergency meeting any time if considered necessary.

LOCAL COMMITTEES

In order to involve the local community in the youth hostel movement, the affairs of a hostel are run by a local committee drawn form social workers, educationists and retired government servants of the area where the hostel is located. These committees are responsible for the up keep maintenance and day to day affairs of the hostels. The hire and fire of the local staff is done at the recommendation of these committees. They are also responsible to appoint a suitable Warden of the hostel. An imprest amount is kept at the disposal of these committees to meet day to day expenditure incurred on that youth hostel.