PESHAWAR: The Department of Criminology, University of Peshawar, in collaboration with Community World Service Asia, Pakistan Partnership Initiative, and University of Peshawar Students’ Societies, organised a two-day symposium titled “Youth for Climate Action: Empower, Engage, Endure” at the Business Incubation Centre, University of Peshawar.
The event began with a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Jan, Assistant Professor, Centre for Preparedness and Disaster Management, who posed the question of what role young people can play in addressing the climate crisis.
Dr. Hizbullah, climate-change expert and former director at the Department of Environmental Sciences, highlighted the links between climate change, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. He pointed to initiatives such as the One Billion Trees Tsunami, Green Career Launchpad, and Green Growth Initiative, while noting the shortage of climate-related research and limited public dissemination of existing studies.
Mr. Syed Abdullah Shah, Additional Secretary at the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, emphasised the religious and social responsibility of climate resilience, stating that the revised Youth Policy will focus on education, employment, engagement, and the environment.
Mr. Habib Jan, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, called for youth to be positioned as central stakeholders in policymaking. He stressed the need for ownership, funding, green entrepreneurship, waste management, and water conservation to achieve meaningful behavioural change.
Mr. Kashif Syed, Bureau Chief at Pashtoon Digital, shared his personal climate initiatives, including planting 500 trees in his hometown and leading plantation drives across the University, urging practical individual-level action.
Dr. Shakeel Khan, Focal Person at the Business Incubation Centre, highlighted the importance of mobilising youth through awareness and youth-led initiatives for national progress.
Distinguished guest speakers included Prof. Dr. Jahanzeb Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, who spoke on environmental anxiety, weak legal implementation, and youth identity issues limiting climate action. Prof. Dr. Naeem Qazi, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Peshawar, encouraged individual responsibility and annual plantation drives, while Dr. Anwar Alam, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, discussed youth awareness and resilience in facing climate challenges.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Basharat Hussain, Chairman of the Department of Criminology, thanked all speakers and participants and reiterated that climate action must begin with individual commitment.
