Indus Hospital & Health Network Hosts Annual Youth Conference ‘Meer-e-Karwan Tum Ho’

Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN), through its youth platform Indus Yaqeen, successfully organized its annual youth conference “Meer-e-Karwan Tum Ho”, bringing together young leaders, volunteers, partner schools, and experts to inspire action on pressing global challenges.

The conference opened with a keynote by Syed Mashhood Rizvi, Executive Director, CRD Department, IHHN, who reflected on the 1987 tragedy, Pakistan’s first major terrorist attack, as a pivotal moment that reshaped the nation’s collective consciousness. Drawing from this history, he spoke about the metaphor of Yaqeen as a force for change, emphasizing why empowering youth remains vital in carrying forward this legacy of resilience and transformation. Mashhood outlined the “6 Cs of Change”, Catastrophe, Crisis, Calamity, Capitulation, Callousness, and Choice; underscoring that true progress lies in collective autonomy, empathy, and collaboration. He urged young people to see themselves not only as inheritors of a legacy, but as active decision-makers shaping a healthier and more equitable future.

This was followed by a panel discussion on the Responsible Use of AI in the Age of Climate Crisis, which brought together diverse voices: Sikandar who is the External Engagements Manager at Engro and a Co-founder of BYAC; Ali Kamran, Communications Lead of the Fresh Air for Life campaign; Adeel Azhar, financial investment enthusiast and radio host; and Dr. Saima Saeed, head of department of pulmonology at the Indus Hospital and Health Network. The panel explored how AI can be both a solution and a challenge in addressing climate vulnerability.

• Sikandar highlighted that while Pakistan contributes little to global emissions, it remains disproportionately climate-vulnerable. He argued that AI tools could predict disasters such as floods, but warned that marginalized communities are often excluded from AI-driven frameworks.
• Ali Kamran discussed how youth engagement shaped his air quality campaign, stressing that poverty often overshadows climate concerns for ordinary citizens. He emphasized the need to integrate youth voices in building awareness.
• Adeel Azhar noted that youth play a crucial role in shaping narratives and must approach AI critically, recognizing both its potential for learning and its risks in spreading misinformation.
• Dr. Saima underscored the direct link between air quality and lung health, pointing out that millions of Pakistanis suffer from preventable respiratory illnesses due to indoor and industrial pollution. She urged participants to find local, community-driven solutions.

In their closing reflections, panelists encouraged the youth to recognize their individual power in driving change, whether by adopting critical thinking in AI use, improving community health practices, or embracing small steps that lead to collective impact.

An engaging interactive session on Storytelling for Climate Change was then conducted by award-winning filmmaker Jawad Sharif. Through excerpts from his acclaimed works, including the story of Sameena Baig, the first Pakistani woman to summit Mount Everest, and The Colour of Smog, Jawad demonstrated how film can transform awareness into action. He described storytelling as “collective memory,” a way of capturing lives, places, and voices that might otherwise vanish in the face of climate change. He reminded the audience that stories remain powerful precisely because they combine multiple art forms into a single movement of thought, resonating deeply at both local and global levels. For young people, he emphasized, creative storytelling is not only a form of advocacy but an act of resilience itself.

The youth debate competition brought forward powerful arguments on sustainability and climate resilience, after which the first segment of the Volunteer and Partner School Awards recognized outstanding contributions to IHHN’s mission. Post-lunch, the audience was introduced to Comic Books for Climate Change by Imran Azhar, followed by a moving Photo Voice Presentation by youth, reflecting grassroots perspectives on environmental and social issues. The second segment of the Volunteer and Partner School Awards was then held, leading into the announcement of winners of pre-conference competitions and the debate.

The event concluded with a heartfelt thank-you note by Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, President, IHHN, followed by closing remarks over refreshments, leaving participants motivated to continue their commitment to climate action, volunteerism, and community service.

Speaking at the conference, IHHN leadership reiterated their belief that youth are the true torchbearers of change, capable of steering Pakistan and the world toward a healthier, sustainable future.