DERA ISMAIL KHAN
\nA high-level youth consultation on climate action and policy development has commenced in Dera Ismail Khan, bringing together young leaders, climate experts, and key stakeholders to co-create inclusive strategies for environmental resilience in Pakistan.
\nThe event is organized by BARGAD Organization for Youth Development, in collaboration with the Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative (PYLI) and the British Council.
\nIt features wide-ranging participation from youth representatives, parliamentarians, academics, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and environmental professionals from across the country.
\nSabiha Shaheen, Executive Director of BARGAD, emphasized the organization\u2019s commitment to inclusive policymaking led by the voices of youth.
\n\u201cYoung people are not just future leaders \u2014 they are already agents of change.
\nThrough this consultation, we\u2019re ensuring that voices from underserved and climate-vulnerable regions help shape national discourse and policy. Involving young people shouldn\u2019t just be for show \u2014 their participation should be a real part of the system.\u201d
\nSaiqa Rani, Project Coordinator at Bargad, explained that the initiative aims to create an exclusive, youth-led space where grassroots perspectives can directly influence policy.
\n\u201cThis consultation focuses on local solutions to climate challenges. It\u2019s not just a platform to raise concerns \u2014 it\u2019s a step towards co-creating practical climate policies that reflect lived realities.\u201d
\nSahar Sohail, PhD Scholar in Environmental Sciences and Chief Organiser of the Youth Consultation, highlighted the importance of evidence-based youth participation.
\n\u201cThis isn\u2019t just another discussion \u2014 we are building a bridge between youth-led action and policy impact. Our generation is already responding to climate threats; now we need structural support to scale those solutions.\u201d
\nPRO to the Governor KP, acknowledged the significance of youth-driven consultation processes. \u201cThis is a model for how youth, academia, and government can collaborate to shape practical, region-sensitive climate strategies. It\u2019s vital that the outcomes of such events are mainstreamed into national planning.\u201d
\nIqbal Haider Butt, a leading youth development expert and CEO of Youthtube, called for institutionalizing youth roles in long-term climate action.
\n\u201cWe must build platforms where young people lead the change. They have the passion and ideas \u2014 what\u2019s needed is consistent support and access to decision-making.\u201d
\nParticipants echoed the need for authentic, locally relevant engagement.
\nRija Zahra Zaidi, a young climate advocate, remarked: \u201cYouth involvement should be more than symbolic. We must be part of real planning, implementation, and monitoring.\u201d
\nKarar added: \u201cEach region of Pakistan faces unique climate impacts. Youth must drive community-based, localized solutions rooted in their own realities.\u201d
\nExperts at the event said it\u2019s important to give young people knowledge about climate change, funding to support their ideas, and chances to lead.
\n\u201cYoung people are already coming up with smart solutions for climate problems. Now we need systems that help grow these ideas, repeat them in other places, and include them in official policies,\u201d one expert said.
\nThis consultation is part of a broader national initiative under PYLI, aimed at strengthening youth capacities, advancing policy dialogue, and identifying actionable pathways for climate resilience across Pakistan.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DERA ISMAIL KHAN A high-level youth consultation on climate action and policy development has commenced in Dera Ismail Khan, bringing together young leaders, climate experts, and key stakeholders to co-create inclusive strategies for environmental resilience in Pakistan. The event is organized by BARGAD Organization for Youth Development, in collaboration with the Pakistan Youth Leadership Initiative […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":491372,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-491352","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n