NATHIAGALI, ABBOTTABAD – A group of 77 youth leaders from across Pakistan have started ascending to the Mukshpuri hieghts, above 9240 feet above sea level, in Nathiagali, Abbottabad, today, to take part in ‘#Markhor14’, Pakistan’s second wilderness based youth leadership conference where they will camp till Sunday (28 September) with a number of corporate and social leaders of the country and renowned outdoor learning experts.
According to Abdul Samad Khan, the first Pakistani graduate of National Outdoor Leadership Schools (NOLS), USA, and CEO of Youth Impact, a not-for-profit company and producer of ‘Markhor 2014’, it will be a life-time learning experience for the participants of the conference who will take inspiration from wilderness to develop a collective strategy for success. Together, in wilderness, they will learn and demonstrate leadership skills, discuss key issues and develop a collective action plan for the country’s future and a better world, which will be announced as Markhor Declaration on the concluding session of the conference.
In the opening session of the conference, Khalid Rahman, Director General, Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad – who is conducting the vision exercise, which will yield Markhor Declaration – discussed with the participants, their aspirations for the country and the world of tomorrow.
Based on the participants’ inputs a consensus statement was drafted, which states: “We dream of a Pakistan that is independent, self-reliant, politically stable, socially cohesive and economically vibrant; where foundational principles and values of Faith, Unity & Discipline, laid down by its forefathers, are practiced in a way that Peace, Prosperity, Forbearance’ and Happiness prevail; where the life, property, honor and dignity of every citizen is protected; where the principles of merit and rule of law help every citizen enjoy the equal access to quality education, health & employment; a Pakistan that is attractive to the world because of its friendly people, rich culture, ethical and moral values, creativity and innovation, diversity, topography, and promoting a win-win paradigm at the global level.”
To live and realize this dream, the Markhor Declaration will include the action points jointly conceived and agreed upon by the youth leaders attending the moot.
Other mentors attending the conference include: Faiq Sadiq, Group Head, Habib Bank Limited; Shahzad Umar, Head of HR, Nestle Pakistan; Ali Jamali, COO, Indus Motors; Qazi Waseem, CEO, Descon Power Solutions, Faisal Mushtaq, CEO, Roots Millennium Schools; Rehan Hasan, Director, Riphah Institute of Media Sciences; Hasan Adnan, Leaders Onboard; Khurram Mujtaba, CEO, Jumpstart Pakistan; Omar Mirza, Director Business Development, British Council Pakistan; Naseem Zafar Iqbal, CEO, Training Impact; Saad Tariq Siddqui, Vice President, Alpine Club of Pakistan; Rahim Lalani, CEO, TEXT; Saad Zuberi, Director Marketing, Lawrencepur and Shahid Warsi, Executive Director, Association for Academic Quality (AFAQ).
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