On November 12, 2025 in Islamabad, Zakat Foundation of America Pakistan convened a powerful session on the importance of volunteerism and youth engagement, bringing students and young leaders into a focused conversation about service, purpose and social leadership. The meeting emphasized practical pathways for Youth Volunteerism to drive local change while building empathetic leadership among students from diverse regions.
Mark S. Ward, Advisor to the CEO at Zakat Foundation of America and a former U.S. Mission Director with extensive experience at USAID, guided the dialogue. Drawing on humanitarian and diplomatic work in Pakistan, Syria, Afghanistan and large-scale disaster response and reconstruction efforts, he framed volunteerism as a moral commitment to humanity and urged attendees to translate compassion into sustained action.
Delegates included students from Quaid-i-Azam University, Bahria University, National University of Modern Languages, Iqra University, COMSATS and International Islamic University, with youth representing cities such as Faisalabad, Mardan, Swabi, Quetta, Bhakkar, Mianwali, Kasur, Multan, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi. The wide geographic representation reinforced how Youth Volunteerism connects campuses and communities across Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Dr. Fazal ur Rehman, Country Director of Zakat Foundation of America Pakistan, outlined ZFA’s Youth Empowerment and Development Initiatives that focus on leadership, civic responsibility and capacity building. He stressed the organisation’s aim to nurture a generation that leads with integrity and serves with purpose, linking these program goals directly to expanded opportunities for Youth Volunteerism nationwide.
An inspiring personal account came from alumna Nayab Ronaq Abbasi, who credited her participation in ZFA’s Youth Leadership Initiative and her Teach For Pakistan fellowship with shaping her approach to education reform in government schools. Her experience illustrated how volunteer engagement can become a professional pathway and a catalyst for sustained community impact.
The Youth Humanitarian Circle Pakistan delegation was recognised for its work with out-of-school children and for promoting youth participation in humanitarian activities. Participants left the session with renewed commitment and practical ideas, a reminder that when guided by purpose Youth Volunteerism can be a force for inclusive and lasting social change across Pakistan.
