Pakistani NGO Is Training Young Political Lobbyists For Kashmir

By News Desk

ISLAMABAD—Youth Forum For Kashmir (YFK) organized a One-Day Kashmir Workshop titled “How To Be An Effective Lobbyist” at Ambassador Inn Hotel Islamabad. The main objective of this unique practical workshop was to train the youth on how to be an excellent lobbyist in professional as well as personal life. A large number of youth from different sectors appeared to attend the workshop. The key leadership trainers were Ambassador Masood Khan DG Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Dr. Moeed Pirzada renowned TV Anchor, young TV Anchor Ms. Mahrukh Qureshi and Mr. Shafic Sultan Senior Producer PTV News.

Ambassador Khan trained the youth on how to lobby nationally and internationally and how to effectively present your case to the world. He asked the youth to go through the European and Jewish system of lobbying but follow the lobbying style of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which He taught us 1400 years ago. Dr. Pirzada trained the youth on how to use media as a lobbying tool and how to get the attention of Pakistani and international media. He said that Kashmiris are fighting for the Defense of Pakistan and Pakistanis should not let them fall. Ms. Qureshi told the youth that how they can improve their networking and lobbying skills. She motivated youth to devote time for Kashmir cause. She asked the youth to highlight the personal stories of Kashmiris suffering and be creative in raising the case.

A practical session was also conducted in the workshop where Mr. Sultan presented a case scenario to the participants and each one applied their learned skills on that particular case study. Ms. Mahrukh Qureshi awarded the Certificates to all the participants who completed the training program. Ms. Shaista Safi Lobbyist-Youth Forum For Kashmir, moderated the workshop. A Policy paper was also presented in this workshop written by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai Sectary General World Kashmir Awareness, Washington D.C. This paper was highly appreciated by the participants.

YFK is Pakistan’s first pro-Kashmir, registered and nonpartisan International lobbying group led by young Kashmiris and Pakistanis working to ensure justice to Kashmiris living under Indian-military occupation.