**Islamabad Boy Scouts Association Opens Doors to 900,000 Youth, Emphasizes Positive Engagement on World Scouts Scarf Day**
The Islamabad Boy Scouts Association has announced its plans to open the doors of the global scouting movement to 900,000 children, positioning scouting as the world’s largest platform for young people to learn the science of outdoor skills. The announcement was made during a special ceremony marking World Scouts Scarf Day, hosted by the Private Schools Network (PSN), with leading educators, scouts, and officials in attendance.
Addressing the event as chief guest, Provincial Commissioner Tariq Aleem Gill highlighted the role of scouting in youth development, describing it as a crucial movement for imparting valuable life skills. He congratulated Dr. Muhammad Afzal Babar, Divisional Commissioner and Central President of the Private Schools Network, along with his team, for successfully bringing together students and teachers to celebrate this international occasion. Gill also underscored the association’s commitment to expanding scouting activities among the youth on a large scale, despite limited resources and challenges within the federal capital.
In his welcome address, Dr. Muhammad Afzal Babar, founding president of the PSN and divisional commissioner of the scouts association, stressed that involving the younger generation in positive activities is the most effective solution to prevailing social issues. He reiterated the association’s dedication, explaining that the provincial commissioner, provincial council, and their executive body are committed to continuing scouting events under all circumstances. Dr. Babar also announced that central and zonal teams have finalized training schedules for Shine, Boys, and Rover Scouts, with basic and badge courses for unit leaders and scouts set to commence this month.
Senior scout leader Zahid Mehmood, former secretary and director of training at the National Headquarters, provided participants with a briefing on the significance of World Scouts Scarf Day. The ceremony also saw the presence of PSN’s central vice president Haji Abdul Nadeem Mughal, general secretary Maqbool Hussain Dar, zonal presidents Muhammad Saleem Khan, Asghar Ali Sheikh, Mahmood Hussain Rafi, zonal general secretary Anjum Majeed Khawaja, and several other district and school officials.
Concluding the event, Provincial Commissioner Tariq Aleem Gill presented scout scarves to all participants and administered the scout oath, reinforcing the values and unity of the scouting movement.
