Govt to Use 1 Million Volunteers for Education and Health Campaigns

Pakistan is set to mobilize a million young people as community volunteers to tackle issues like low literacy, childhood malnutrition, and the high number of out-of-school children, according to Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal. The initiative aims to leverage the nation's vast youth population to address significant human development challenges.

With nearly a third of Pakistan's estimated 257 million residents falling within the 10-24 age bracket, and UNICEF reporting that 25.1 million children aged 5-16 are not enrolled in school, the government is developing a nationwide program. This program will see young Pakistanis serving as social mobilizers in their communities, promoting behavioral change and bridging national development goals with local populations.

The volunteers will assist in getting children into schools, raise awareness about health and nutrition, discourage drug and tobacco use, and encourage healthier lifestyles. Additionally, they will participate in environmental initiatives, such as tree planting. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is expected to formally inaugurate the program on November 9, though specifics on recruitment, training, remuneration, cost, and impact measurement have not yet been disclosed.