ANF Youth Ambassadors Convention was organised at Topi Rakh Auditorium, Ayub National Park, Rawalpindi from 6 to 7 April. DG ANF Major General Nasir Dilawar Shah HI (M) was the chief guest of the event. The occasion was addressed by Professor Dr Rizwan Taj (PIMS), Professor Dr Bushra (FJWU), Mansoor Ahmed (Ex Hockey Olympian), Senior Analyst SK Niazi, Hasnain Ali Abbasi (President National Youth Assembly), Professional Youth Motivators Sidra Zafar and Zaydan Khan and Force Commander ANF Brigadier Ramzan Gill.
While addressing the occasion, DG ANF stated that ANF Youth Forum had already achieved significant successes ie creation of a country-wide Youth Hierarchy and multi-directional forum to engage society. Moreover, online communication system (www.anfnorthregion.gov.pk.) made this forum quite accessible, readily available as well as time & cost effective.
DG apprised the audiences that its success can well be estimated that since its inception in June 2014, it has over 5,000 active Youth Ambassadors throughout the country, who will definitely be inflicting very positive effects on Pakistani society in future. He further emphasised that problem of drug abuse could not be surmounted without the active participation of all segments of the society; hence warrants concerted endeavours by all through a multi-pronged and well integrated strategy.
While talking about ANF Enforcement measures, DG ANF announced that in near future ANF was going to launch a special "Anti-Drug Drive" in major cities of the country, for which ANF intelligence network was in the process of monitoring and evaluating its targets. Soon there will be a boost in already underway anti-drug operations especially focusing on all provincial capitals and Islamabad.
Other participants highlighted Drug Challenges to Youth, Effects of Drugs on Health, Role of Sports in Fighting against Narcotics, Role of Academic Institutions against Drug Abuse, Role of Media against Drug Abuse and National Responsibilities of Youth in Drug Awareness. Peer pressure was recognised as the core cause of addiction amongst students and street children.
Basic purpose of the convention was to motivate the youth to join hands with ANF in making "Drug Free Society" as well as to inculcate instinctive reaction to "Say No To Drugs" at the very outset.
The event also emphasised to organise healthy opportunities to youth, hence providing constructive alternate recreational / informational social works. Event was attended by Youth Ambassadors, International Partners, NCD, NGOs, Media Persons, Teacher Community and Students from Quid-e-Azam University, Muhammad Ali Jinnah University, Federal Urdu University, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Islamic International University, NUML, Foundation University, Preston University and various government / private schools and colleges.-PR