Islamabad, January 29, 2026: President of the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) of the National Assembly, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, MNA, led a YPF delegation in a meeting with Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy, 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.
During the discussion, Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar highlighted the increasing vulnerability of students and out-of-school youth to drug abuse, bullying, mental health challenges, and unsafe online practices. Both sides emphasized the need for early prevention through schools, colleges, and community-based programmes, supported by awareness-oriented curricula, effective counselling mechanisms, and strong inter-ministerial coordination with the Health Department and Anti-Narcotics Force.
The meeting also explored ways to ensure meaningful youth participation in governance beyond symbolic engagement. Participants stressed the importance of structured civic education platforms and leadership development initiatives through mentorship programmes, policy labs, and simulation exercises. The Youth Ambassador Programme, a flagship YPF initiative, was highlighted as a key mechanism to connect students with parliament and provincial authorities, fostering socially responsible and constitutionally aware youth.
Environmental awareness and eco-literacy were another key focus of the discussion. Proposals were shared to integrate environmental education and sustainable practices into schools and colleges, encourage student-led climate action, and empower youth as advocates for environmental stewardship.
A framework for joint YPF–Sindh Education Department initiatives was proposed, including seminars, advocacy campaigns, and youth conventions modeled on the “Khuli Kachehri” format, aimed at strengthening youth–legislator dialogue and ensuring sustained and measurable outcomes.
The YPF delegation included Nawabzada Mir Jamal Khan Raisani, MNA, General Secretary YPF; Muhammad Iqbal Khan, MNA, Information Secretary YPF; Awais Haider Jhakhar, MNA; Shaista Khan, MNA; 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, along with officials from the Ministry of Health and the Anti-Narcotics Force.
Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar thanked the Sindh education minister for the warm welcome and support extended to the delegation. She expressed confidence that the engagement would translate into concrete, youth-focused initiatives in Sindh, with drug abuse prevention and environmental stewardship identified as key priorities.
