By: Abubakar Bin Tallat
ISLAMABAD: The Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (KKAWF) and The Jordan Anti-Drugs Society (TJADS) joined forces with Serena Hotels to host a panel discussion on “Early Drug Prevention Strategies: The Future of Youth.” The event shed light on the pressing issue of drug abuse among Pakistani youth and emphasized the importance of raising awareness from an early age. Mrs. Cristina Von Sperling Afridi, the driving force behind KKAWF, highlighted the need for immediate action and the role of the government and educational institutions.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from Mrs. Afridi, and the esteemed panel of moderators included renowned journalist and anchorperson Syed Talat Hussain, along with Dr. Ayesha Razzaque, former technical advisor to the Ministry of Education and Op-Ed writer for The News International. The first session focused on “Early Prevention Strategies,” featuring Dr. Mousa Daoud Al-Tarefi, President of the Jordan Anti-Drug Society, as the keynote speaker. Panelists, including specialists in narcotics and prevention, such as Syed Kaleem Imam, Former Federal Secretary Senator, Sana Jamali, and Mrs. Afridi, shared their expertise.
The second session explored “Drug Use Prevention, Awareness, and Education; Learnings from Civil Society & Youth,” moderated by Dr. Ayesha Razzaque. The panel comprised notable individuals in the field, including Mr. Sarfraz Qamar Daha, Mrs. Lubna Ghani Haya Uddin, Mr. Wajahat Ali, and Adnan Malik. During an open mic session, the audience stressed the significance of parental involvement, innovative approaches, and the role of educators in creating a drug-free environment for future generations.
The presence of renowned experts, psychologists, educators, addiction specialists, law enforcement professionals, and community leaders, provided valuable insights and practical strategies to proactively address this issue. The event brought together stakeholders from the community who are equally invested in this initiative.
The panel members were honored with a group photo, and souvenirs were presented to commemorate their participation. The event was part of Serena Hotels’ Public Diplomacy Initiative, a corporate social responsibility endeavor aimed at discussing and raising awareness about prevalent societal issues.