Islamabad, Pakistan: Muslim Aid Pakistan and National Council of Social Welfare (NCSW) jointly organised a one-day special awareness seminar under SDG 13, titled ‘Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Vision to Make Pakistan Green & Clean and Social Responsibilities of the Youth’ in a local hotel in Islamabad.The aim of seminar was to sensitise and influence stakeholders on the role and importance of youth of the country in Prime Minister’s Clean and Green Pakistan (CGP) movement and their social respon-sibilities to take climate action for the betterment of society. This seminar is organised to bring together experts from different walks of life to share initiative taken under CGP and enhance effective participation of youth.

Muslim Aid recognises the key role that youth play in tackling climate change and works closely with youth-led and youth-focused organisations around the country. Considerable efforts are being made by us and other organisations in strengthen-ing the adaptive capability and resilience of youth in rural communities of Pakistan.

To tackle climate change, the concerted coordinat-ed government action through relevant ministries is commendable. A conscious and informed effort by individuals is essential including formal and informal education on climate change and viable lifestyles. In addition, sustainable produc-tion and consumption patterns must be promoted and youth must be supported as environmental champions in their local communities.

Federal Minister for Federal Education and Profes-sional Training Shafqat Mehmood was the chief guest while Wajiha Akram, Parliamentary Secretary for M/o Federal Education and Professional Train-ing were the guests of honour. More than 300 prominent social activists, parliamentarians, repre-sentatives of civil society, youth organizations, students, civil servants and other stakeholders attended the seminar.

Shafqat Mehmood said that “Pakistan is among the most climate change affected countries. According to vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, present government is taking steps to make a clean and green Pakistan. Youth can play effective role to mitigate this challenge through plantation, so that Pakistan can be saved from the risk of climate change. Students can spread awareness in order to protect the environment. We have to make the sustainable utilization of our resources for the further successive generations”.

Shafqat Mehmood Federal Minister of Education is sharing his commitment to take educational reforms and mainstreaming youth for climate action.

Seminar on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Vision to Make Clean and Green Pakistan & Social Responsibility of Youth

Together we strive for a prosperous and ‘Resilient Pakistan’.

For more information regarding Muslim Aid’s interventions in Pakistan please contact:

Pakistan Country Office1st Floor, Office # 1 Executive Business Centre, FECHS, E-11/2, Islamabad, PakistanTel:+92(51) 2305356-8 Fax: +92(51) 2305293www.muslimaid.org.pk

Qasim Ali Khawaja (for communications & volunteering information)Manager Communication & Influencing Email: Qasim.ali@muslimaid.org.pk

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Dr. Nadeem Shafiq Malik, Chairman NCSW and Secretary National History & Literary Heritage Division, presided the seminar.

On the occasion, Dr. Nadeem Shafiq Malik said in his presidential address that Pakistan is among those fortunate states, which are blessed with every kind of resources. We have to accept climate change as a challenge. We have to clean our envi-ronment. It is our collective social responsibility to do Plantation and implement the PM Imran Khan’s vision of clean and green Pakistan.

Country Director Muslim Aid Pakistan, Syed Shahnawaz Ali said, ‘Muslim Aid is open to devel-op partnership for joint environmental initiatives aimed at building the capacity of youth as future leaders and driving forces behind a new climate

change regime. We welcome innovative and sustainable ideas from youth and are offering both mentoring and funding opportunities.’

Nuzhat Pathan said in her speech that these kind of awareness campaigns spread awareness among people. In Islamabad use of polythene bags is being banned. The other environmental experts, social activists and politician Wajiha Akram, MNA, Mazhar Iqbal, Focal Person Clean & Green Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam University, Jahan-zaib Khan, President Jawan Pakistan, CEO/Step-ping Stone, Tariq Khan, Chairman, Clean & Green Pakistan, Faizan Hassan, Deputy Director PM Internship Programme, Ahmed Hussain, Promi-nent Social Worker and Syed Shahnawaz, Country Director, Muslim Aid gave their proposals to protect environment.

Tariq Khan Chairman Clean & Green Pakistan is speaking to youth at seminar said, ‘to take corrective measures one doesn't need a title, a ministry, an individual with a positive intent can set the change in action.’

Nuzhat Pathan MNA is inspiring youth to take collective action for the betterment of the society especially related to changing climate.

Country Director Muslim Aid Pakistan is presenting an award to Federal Minister of Education Shafqat Mehmood in recognition of his relentless efforts to uplift youth of Pakistan.

More than 300 social activists, parliamentarians, repre-sentatives of civil society, youth organizations, students, civil servants & other stakeholders attended the seminar.