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ISLAMABAD, Jan 29 (APP):The President of the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) of the National Assembly, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, MNA, led a YPF delegation held a detailed meeting Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Minister for Education & Literacy, Sindh, at the Minister’s Office, on Thursday.
The meeting focused on promoting youth leadership, preventing drug abuse, advancing environmental awareness, and strengthening youth participation in governance across Sindh, said a press release.
During the discussion, President YPF, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, underscored the growing vulnerability of students and out-of-school youth to drug abuse, bullying, mental health issues, and unsafe online practices. Both sides emphasized the critical need for early prevention through schools, colleges, and community-based programmes, supported by awareness-focused curricula, effective counselling mechanisms, and robust inter-ministerial coordination with the Health and Anti-Narcotics authorities.
Further discussions focused on meaningful youth participation in governance beyond symbolic participation, structured civic education platforms, and leadership development programmes through mentorship, policy labs, and simulation exercises. The Youth Ambassador Programme, a flagship YPF initiative, was highlighted as a key tool to link students with parliament and provincial authorities, cultivating socially responsible and constitutionally aware youth.
The meeting also underscored the significance of green initiatives and eco-literacy, with proposals to integrate environmental education and sustainable practices into schools and colleges, promote student-led climate action, and foster youth as advocates for environmental stewardship.
A framework for joint YPF–Sindh Education Department initiatives, including seminars, advocacy campaigns, and youth conventions modeled on the “Khuli Kachehri” format, was proposed to enhance youth–legislator dialogue and ensure sustained outcomes.
The YPF delegation comprised Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani, MNA and General Secretary YPF; Muhammad Iqbal Khan, MNA and Information Secretary YPF; Awais Haider Jhakhar, MNA and Member YPF; Ms. Shaista Khan, MNA and Member YPF; Raja Muhammad Ali, Manager YPF; and Raja Shoaib Akbar, Executive Director, SFEA.
The meeting was also attended by MPAs and Members of the YPF Sindh Provincial Chapter, including Khurram Karim Soomro, Additional Joint Secretary; Shariq Jamal, Vice President; Mohammad Daniyal, Joint Secretary; Bilal Jadoon, Finance Secretary; and Mohammad Amir. Officials from the Ministry of Health and the Anti-Narcotics Force were also present.
Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar expressed gratitude to the Minister for the warm welcome, as well as for the support and facilitation extended to the delegation. She emphasized that the engagement would translate into concrete, youth-focused outcomes in Sindh, with a particular focus on drug abuse prevention and environmental stewardship as key priorities.