Pakistan’s Largest Volunteer Movement Gains Momentum Ahead of IVD 3.0
Pakistan’s Largest Volunteer Movement Gains Momentum Ahead of IVD 3.0
Rawalpindi: Al Khidmat Foundation has formally launched preparations for International Volunteer Day (IVD) 3.0, issuing a strong call for nationwide youth mobilisation. The organisation announced that over 5,000 students from 60 universities, 8,000 volunteers from North Punjab, and more than 70,000 volunteers across the country have already registered for what is expected to be Pakistan’s largest volunteer-driven welfare initiative. The press briefing shed light on Al Khidmat’s expanding humanitarian network, large-scale global relief operations and its broader mission to guide the country’s youth away from pessimism and towards constructive service.
During the media interaction, Al Khidmat Foundation North Punjab President Rizwan Ahmed said the upcoming IVD 3.0 event at the Pak-China Friendship Center aims to channel the potential of young Pakistanis through IT training, digital empowerment, volunteer leadership and community development projects. He said Al Khidmat’s identity is built on service, transparency and public trust, and noted that the organisation has emerged as a global representation of Pakistan’s humanitarian spirit. According to him, disaster-hit countries often invite Al Khidmat to assist, strengthening Pakistan’s reputation during relief missions, particularly in Turkey and Afghanistan.
The briefing also contained major financial disclosures about the organisation’s international relief activities. Rizwan Ahmed revealed that Al Khidmat has already spent Rs 7 billion on Gaza relief operations and plans to extend this support to Rs 15 billion under its “Rebuild Gaza” initiative. He added that 350 Palestinian students, including 195 enrolled in medical programmes, are currently studying in Pakistani universities through a partnership involving the Government of Pakistan, PMDC and HEC, with full support from Al Khidmat.
Rizwan described Pakistan’s humanitarian capacity as a powerful national asset that can be further strengthened by engaging young people. He said the trend of hopelessness, reflected in the phrase “Pakistan se zinda bhaag,” must be replaced with a renewed belief in service, dignity and leadership. He noted that an empowered middle class serves as the engine for national reconstruction and highlighted that Al Khidmat’s Bano Qabil programmes in North Punjab have surpassed two million participants, demonstrating strong public trust in community-driven initiatives.
Detailing the operational structure behind IVD 3.0, Rizwan shared that more than 1,500 online registrations have already been received, while an additional 1,000 participants from 12 districts of North Punjab have confirmed their presence. Every participating university has formed volunteer ambassador teams of 10 to 20 students responsible for running campus activation campaigns. These teams will manage registration desks using brochures, posters and standees provided during the briefing.
Responding to questions about youth-focused planning, Rizwan explained that volunteer recruitment is conducted through an online portal and individuals are assigned tasks based on their skill sets. He said engineers, educators, medical professionals and other specialists contribute directly to projects aligned with their expertise. The Pakistani diaspora, he added, plays an essential role by contributing significantly to Al Khidmat’s operational resources around the world.
The event also highlighted the foundation’s philosophy of “Serve Humanity, Build Pakistan,” which Rizwan presented as a movement rooted in faith, compassion and practical problem-solving. He said leadership is not tied to government office but emerges from the willingness to serve. He stressed that Al Khidmat, despite being an NGO, has consistently worked on the frontlines of disasters, proving that service does not depend on authority or position.
The briefing concluded with directions for university ambassadors to record video testimonials, upload promotional material and mobilise their campuses ahead of IVD 3.0. Volunteers were encouraged to build networks, expand outreach efforts and contribute actively to Pakistan’s largest volunteer mobilisation campaign.
