- Visionary Leadership: Dr. Nasir Mehmood’s strategy to tackle youth disillusionment through engagement and education reform.
- Global Impact: How his initiative is praised from Washington to Geneva as a model for resilience and critical thinking.
- Supportive Leadership: The pivotal roles of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the Chief Secretary of Punjab in driving educational transformation.
- Real Change: Concrete outcomes, from a drop in drug-related incidents to renewed purpose among students inspired by patriotism and ethical values.
Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan—In a modest office nestled in the rugged terrains of southern Punjab, Dr. Nasir Mehmood Bashir, the Commissioner of DG Khan Division, sat with weary eyes but an unbroken spirit. His desk was cluttered with reports, student essays, and charts mapping out Pakistan’s pressing socioeconomic dilemmas. For the past year, he had poured every ounce of his energy into a mission few dared to tackle: rescuing Pakistan’s youth from the claws of despair and disillusionment.

“Hope isn’t lost,” he said, his voice steady with conviction. “But we can’t wait for change to come from elsewhere. We must build it ourselves.”
This conviction led to an initiative that has not only captured hearts across Pakistan but also sparked discussions in the world’s power corridors—from Washington and Beijing to Brussels, Geneva, and London.
A Nation’s Most Precious Resource
For Dr. Nasir, it began with a stark realization. In a nation where nearly 64% of the population is under 30, Pakistan’s youth represent both its greatest asset and its gravest liability. Persistent economic instability, extremist ideologies, and rampant unemployment had left young minds teetering on the edge of hopelessness.
Despite the personal cost, Dr. Nasir attributes his success to the dynamic leadership of Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif. “She is a visionary leader transforming the education system with a focus on empowerment, innovation, and inclusivity,” Dr. Nasir remarked. He credited her unwavering support for making the ambitious youth engagement campaign a reality. “Without Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s backing, it would have been impossible to achieve what we have accomplished,” he emphasized.
The trigger came during an informal school visit in 2022. A conversation with a 16-year-old student left Dr. Nasir sleepless. The boy, with piercing eyes and a fragile smile, confessed his fears about terrorism and corruption. “What future do we have when lies are louder than truth?” the student asked.
That night, Dr. Nasir resolved to dig deeper.
A Listening Ear and a Watchful Eye
His first step was to listen—truly listen. Over the next six months, he left the comfort of his office to engage directly with students, teachers, and parents. He visited remote villages, crowded classrooms, and university auditoriums. In candid discussions, he asked the youth about their fears, dreams, and frustrations.
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He heard stories of friends lost to drugs, classmates lured by extremist narratives, and young women denied education. He noted recurring concerns: the inadequacy of career counseling, a curriculum devoid of real-world relevance, and a digital landscape rife with misinformation.

“Students are hungry for guidance,” Dr. Nasir reflected. “But what are we offering them? Memorization. Silence. Apathy. That’s not education—that’s a betrayal.”
Mobilizing a Movement
Determined to transform insights into action, Dr. Nasir launched a region-wide youth engagement campaign. Its cornerstone: essay competitions on topics conspicuously absent from standard curricula—patriotism, social media ethics, and the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces.
The contests swept through Markaz, Tehsil, and district levels before culminating in divisional finals held at Dr. Nasir’s own office. Over 12,500 students penned essays, pouring their hearts onto paper. The themes were raw and urgent: The Role of Sports in Drug Prevention, Religious Terrorism in Modern Times, and Patriotism as a Pillar of Faith.
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“The essays weren’t just words,” Dr. Nasir shared. “They were cries for understanding. They revealed a generation grappling with identity, fear, and hope.”
A Nation’s Mirror
The findings were sobering. Many students voiced frustration at a system that prioritized rote learning over critical thought. Others lamented the absence of technological solutions to corruption and governance. Across the board, there was a desperate plea for more meaningful education.
“I learned that extremism isn’t born of hate,” Dr. Nasir observed. “It’s born of emptiness—when minds are left unguided and hearts untouched.”
A global effort to counter extremism through education
From the faculty’s perspective, the shortcomings were clear: a lack of conceptual teaching, scarce career counseling, and a curriculum that neglected ethical and patriotic values.
Management insights further underscored the need for engagement. Students between 11 and 19, they warned, were in their most formative years. Without proactive intervention, these young minds would remain vulnerable.
Transforming Policy into Practice
With a mountain of data in hand, Dr. Nasir moved swiftly. He worked tirelessly with local education departments to implement immediate reforms:
• Morning Zero Periods: Schools introduced weekly discussions on civic responsibility and patriotism.
• Career Counseling Centers: Pilot projects for vocational guidance began in select schools.
• Digital Literacy Programs: Initiatives to teach critical thinking and social media ethics were launched.
Policy recommendations also flowed upward:
• A regulatory body for social media ethics to curb misinformation.
• Monetary incentives tied to youth engagement programs.
• Co-curricular topics woven into national syllabi, highlighting the bravery of Pakistan’s armed forces and the dangers of substance abuse.
Echoes from the Global Stage
What started in DG Khan reverberated far beyond Pakistan’s borders. The Islamabad Telegraphed shared Dr. Nasir’s findings with Presidents of various think tanks across globe. Also Te Islamabad Telegraph shared it with Islamabad-based diplomatic community.

In Washington, think tanks praised the initiative for addressing root causes of radicalization. Beijing viewed it as a model for youth resilience against misinformation. In Geneva, human rights advocates lauded the participatory approach.
Ambassadors in Islamabad took note. “This is the kind of grassroots leadership Pakistan needs,” remarked a European diplomat. “It’s pragmatic, heartfelt, and visionary.”
While accolades poured in, Dr. Nasir’s journey came at a personal cost. Nights bled into mornings as he balanced his administrative duties with his mission. His family saw less of him; his health faltered under the weight of relentless work. But he pressed on.
“I’m just one man,” he shrugged. “But if one spark can light a fire, then I’ll keep burning.”
His office, once a sterile government space, transformed into a hub of youthful energy. Walls adorned with students’ essays and commendations told stories of resilience and rebirth.
The Personal Sacrifice Behind the Public Success
Despite the personal cost, Dr. Nasir attributes his success to the dynamic leadership of Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif. “She is a visionary leader transforming the education system with a focus on empowerment, innovation, and inclusivity,” Dr. Nasir remarked. He credited her unwavering support for making the ambitious youth engagement campaign a reality. “Without Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s backing, it would have been impossible to achieve what we have accomplished,” he emphasized.
Dr. Nasir also expressed deep gratitude to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, whose continuous encouragement and administrative assistance were instrumental in the initiative’s success. “The Chief Secretary’s dedication to reform and his belief in the power of education gave us the momentum we needed to make a tangible difference,” he said. Together, this collaborative effort reflects a model of governance rooted in proactive solutions and shared responsibility.
A Glimpse of Tomorrow
The impact was undeniable. A 17-year-old girl from a rural village, who once doubted her place in the world, won first prize for her essay on patriotism. She now dreams of becoming a lawyer.
A group of boys who had considered dropping out found new purpose in community service projects inspired by Dr. Nasir’s teachings. Schools reported a marked decline in drug-related incidents.
As the sun sets over DG Khan, Dr. Nasir remains unrelenting. He envisions a future where Pakistan’s youth are armed not with weapons of hate but with knowledge, critical thinking, and unshakable patriotism.
“Change takes time,” he admitted. “But it starts with belief—belief that every child, no matter where they come from, has a role in building this nation.”
In a corner of his office, a plaque reads: ‘The true wealth of a nation lies in its youth.’ Dr. Nasir Mehmood is determined to turn those words into reality.