PYO is organized different advocacy program for drug demand reduction, HIV/AIDS and youth policies. PYO is also organizing program for enabling environment in field of drugs, HIV and youth. The details of some activities are as under:-
Participation of Mr. Sana Ullah Rathore President PYO in NGO Consultation on Pakistan National Policy on Narcotics in Pakistan
Mr. Sana Ullah Rathore, President PYO had participated in the consultation held on 19th March-10 in Lahore on Pakistan national policy on anti narcotics on behalf of Pakistan Youth Organization, 300 NGOs Network of Anti Narcotics Force and VNGOC wherein Federal secretary Narcotics Control, Director General Anti Narcotics Force, Drug & HIV Advisor UNODC, number of parliamentarians and representatives from different walk of life participated in consultation. As a NGOs representative President PYO had raised the voice of NGOs of Pakistan and made the point that the representations of NGOs should be in the all segments and committees on national, provincial, and local level. The chair agrees for representation of NGOs at all level.
Participation of Mr. Sana Ullah Rathore President PYO in NGO Consultation for 5 years Master Plan for Drug Demand Reduction in Pakistan
Mr. Sana Ullah Rathore, President Pakistan Youth Organization has participated in 2 days NGO Consultation for 5 years Master Plan of Government of Pakistan for Drug Demand Reduction. This consultation was organized by Ministry of Narcotics Control, United Nations Office On Drugs & Crime, Country Office Pakistan/ Anti Narcotics Force/ U.S Embassy Islamabad. President PYO had given valuable input for 5 years master plan for drug demand reduction in Pakistan.
Advocacy Meeting on Prevention of Transmission of HIV/AIDS among IDUs/DUs
An advocacy meeting with Stake Holders and Community Leaders of Gujranwala was conducted on 26th March 2009 by Drop-In Centre/ Mian Afzal Trust Hospital, Gujranwala at Lords Hotel. The meeting was presided over by Sheikh Mumtaz Hashmi Member Provincial Assembly and the Chief Guest of the meeting was Dr. Ehsan District Officer Health, Gujranwala.
Rana Maqsood Ahmed (Director Projects MAH) welcomed all the participants of the meeting and thanks for making their presence for the discussion on a very sensitive & important issue of HIV/AIDS.
The meeting started with the recitation of Holy Quran delivered by a religious leader Qari Mujeeb-ur-Rehman. There were 15 participants in the meeting.
First of all, Mr. Sanaullah Rathore Executive Director Mian Afzal Trust Hospital, Gujranwala introduced Pakistan Youth Organization (PYO) and Mian Afzal trust Hospital (MAH) and its running projects by a presentation on Multimedia Projector. He also briefed about the scenario of HIV/AIDS among IDUs/DUs in Pakistan and especially in Gujranwala. He also pointed out some figures about facts of HIV/AIDS in Gujranwala and different cities of Pakistan. He also informed the participants that in Gujranwala the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is low among drug Users as compare to the other cities of Pakistan as you see in the figures and it is all due to the working of Drop-In Centre, Gujranwala which is running with the support of UNODC/ANF. All the participants appreciated the projects and the overall working of the NGO.
Mr. Shahid Mehmood (Psychologist/ In-charge DIC) explained about the project of Drop-In Center. He introduced the services of DIC like PHC/ Abscess management, Counseling services, Social services, Referral services, HIV/AIDS testing and he especially highlighted the treatment policy of the project. He also introduced the Partners and Donors of this project as well as UNODC, ANF, MNC and MAH.
After the presentations, discussion started on the topic of “The Role of Community Leaders and Stake Holders to implementation of project and prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS among IDUs/DUs”.
Ms. Samina Zareen (Advocate High Court) insisted to make new drug laws. She also expressed the protection of human rights. She also assured to provide free legal aid for the clients of the Drop-In Centre if anybody needed.
Dr. Ehsan District Officer Health, Gujranwala Chief Guest of the meeting expressed that he will raise the issue of female IDUs/DUs with EDO health and he also intended to propose a treatment plan for the female addicts in District Headquarters Hospital about 15 to 20 beds. He also assured to support the services of DIC project.
Nabila Inayat Chaudhari (Town Naib Nazim Aroop Town Gujranwala) intended to spread this massage in District Assembly. She said that we will enforce the Government to make some new policies for reduction of this epidemic.
Qari Mujeeb-ur-Rehman (Religious Leader) said that he will highlight this massage in his addresses to the public and in religious figures meetings. He also gave the concept of Islam about the Sex Partners.
Sufi Muhammad Javed (Director Co-ordination M.A.H) expressed the modes of transmission of HIV/AIDS especially he highlighted the women’s activity of piercing of ears and nose with unsafe/ used needle and different equipments.
Advocacy Meeting with different Stake Holders is going on under the management of Drop-In Centre, Gujranwala
Faisal Sagar (Editor Star Times) highlighted the responsibilities of media as well as Documenting, investigative stories etc. He also pledged that he will request other colleague writers and editors should write about HIV/AIDS.
Shahid Mehmood (Psychologist) suggested that we should coin new slogans for campaigns, adds etc. we should bring about behavior change in the society and should highlight related literature. He also insisted to facilitate the regular trainings on the issues related to HIV/AIDS, drug use and the legal and human rights of all individuals especially sex workers and other vulnerable groups. He also said that Police should also be expected to refer such cases to the Drop-In Centre for the betterment of the subject.
Malik Asim Ali Awan (Assistant Director Legal) discussed how we can prevent and what should be the role of administration of the city, he insisted that city Government should take necessary actions for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. He also said if some Dentist of other person not sterilized the surgical instruments then any body let me know I will take action against him under consumer protection law.
Sheikh Mumtaz Hashmi (Member Provincial Assembly) took interest in Drop-In Centre. He appreciated the role of UNODC and MAH for the prevention of HIV/AIDS among IDUs/ DUs and also for the free treatment of the addicts. He desired to raise this particular issue in Punjab Assembly. He insisted that Punjab Government should facilitate the NGOs and DIC to work properly on the very important issue of HIV/AIDS prevention among IDUs/DUs and also among the general population and should make new policies on urgent basis. He assured his full support for this project.
In the end Mr. Sana Ullah Rathore (Executive Director MAH) thanks the participants. He also appreciated all the participants and the role of community leaders. The meeting ended with the Lunch.
Participants of the Advocacy meeting during discussion on some points and a group photo after the meeting
Individual Advocacy Meetings with Different Stake Holders
Details of some advocacy meetings is given below: