Chitral (Chitral Express): A special awareness event was held at Government Higher Secondary School, Sor Laspur, on International Snow Leopard Day (23 October), under the auspices of Snow Leopard Foundation Pakistan and the Chitral Gol National Park Wildlife Division, Chitral. The event aimed to raise awareness of the importance of the snow leopard, the protection of its natural habitat, the threats it faces, and the role young people and students can play in conserving biodiversity.
Those attending included the school’s female and male students, teachers and community elders, along with Snow Leopard Foundation Regional Programme Manager Jamiullah Shirazi, Assistant District Education Officer (Planning and Development) for Upper Chitral Jamil Ahmad, and Community Mobilizer Saifullah Jan.
At the start of the event, students delivered speeches in Urdu and English about the snow leopard’s ecological role, the threats it faces and young people’s responsibilities in its conservation. The students pledged to play their part as ambassadors by spreading environmental awareness among their families and the local population.
Addressing the event, Government Higher Secondary School, Sor Laspur Principal Fayyaz Ali thanked the Snow Leopard Foundation and said that educational activities of this kind are an important step in promoting environmentally conscious thinking among students and mobilizing them to protect natural resources.
Snow Leopard Foundation Regional Programme Manager Jamiullah Shirazi said snow leopard conservation is linked to protecting the entire mountain ecosystem and its biodiversity. He highlighted threats including illegal hunting, global warming and human-wildlife conflict. He stressed that local people’s cooperation, and students in particular becoming “conservation ambassadors,” are the guarantee of the survival of natural resources.
In his address, Upper Chitral Education Department Assistant District Education Officer Jamil Ahmad said educational institutions play a key role in raising children’s awareness of protecting the natural environment. He called for stronger cooperation among educational institutions, wildlife departments and local communities.
During the event, community representatives Akbar and Rahmatullah Jan praised the conservation and welfare activities being carried out by the Snow Leopard Foundation in the area. The Foundation’s Community Mobilizer Saifullah Jan thanked the school administration and students for their strong participation.
At the conclusion, honorary shields were distributed to students who had performed exceptionally and to distinguished guests. The Snow Leopard Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to continuing efforts to protect the snow leopard and its natural habitat in partnership with local communities and government departments.
Source: Original Urdu report.
Muhammad Nayab Khan is a visionary leader, serial entrepreneur, and financial consultant with over a decade of professional experience in enterprise development, corporate branding, and digital infrastructure. Holding a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance from the University of the Punjab, he serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Qashqar Pakistan and Pamir Network, while actively contributing as an Executive Body Member for the Chitral Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
As a certified QuickBooks Accountant and seasoned trainer, Nayab is deeply passionate about bridging the gap between traditional business operations and modern digital solutions. He has spearheaded numerous capacity-building and technical financial digitizing workshops, training enterprises and entrepreneurs on QuickBooks Desktop across Lahore and the Chitral District. Combining sharp financial acumen with versatile expertise in corporate branding, graphic design, and digital media, Muhammad Nayab is dedicated to empowering businesses, streamlining operations, and driving sustainable economic growth in Pakistan's SME sector.
