TAHIR KHATTAK

Tahir Mahmood Khattak is a Founder & Chairman of Global Youth Clan (GYC) which aims to work on Sustainable Development Goals in Pakistan. Since its foundation in October 2016, GYC has organized several workshops, seminars & awareness sessions on Multiple Discussions. He is a Graduate of Management Sciences from I.A.S. Punjab University. Mr Khattak is an executive member of PILDAT’s Youth Parliament Pakistan. He has also served as a Member of UN Inter-Agency Network for Youth Development.

“Focus on your abilities and start working on achieving your milestones without any fear. Only YOU can do it!”

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

I belong to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which is the 5th Most Populous Country in the world and one of the Nuclear States. Pakistan has the world’s largest fort and also the second largest salt mine in the world. Our country is blessed with God-gifted beautiful mountains, coastal belt, hot and cold deserts and mesmerizing views. I’m glad that Pakistan has been considered as one of Top Tourist Attractions in the World for 2021.

Pakistan is also among very few countries that have a large population of young people who are actively engaged in sports, social and political Movements. Our young people are playing a vital role in the development sector and proudly representing Pakistan on various national & international platforms.

I started my social career during Intermediate and was elected head boy of our academy. I started volunteering at conferences and seminars in 2013 and actively ensured my participation in various national and international conferences throughout my university life. I was selected as one of 60 Youth Parliamentarians across the country who were being given an opportunity to serve & present solution-based strategies on core issues for Pakistan at Mock Parliament of Youth, a project by PILDAT and the Embassy of Denmark in Pakistan. I founded the youth-led organization “Global Youth Clan” in 2016, which is working for the implementation of the UN’s SDGs in Pakistan. In October 2017, I was honoured to represent Pakistan at the World Festival of Youth & Students at Sochi, Russia. In June 2018, I was invited by the Russian Government to attend an international media trip on the eve of FIFA World Cup 2018. I was also awarded “Youth Icon of Pakistan” by the then Minister for Youth & Sports, Government of the Punjab and also “Pride of Pakistan” by a local youth-based organisation. Currently, I’m the elected Curator of Global Shapers – Lahore Hub, network of youth under the umbrella of the World Economic Forum.

With regards to my qualifications & profession, I have graduated in Management Sciences with specialization in Marketing and am currently serving as a Key Accounts Manager at Reckitt, one of the largest multi-national manufacturers of home cleaning products in the world. Previously, I was working as a Key Accounts Manager at Shan Foods, Pakistan’s largest spices producer, where I also received the award for “Best Executive of the Year”

Q: What was your experience of the global pandemic crisis? Did it change your life and/or your views about the world? If so, how?

I have never seen such a deadly pandemic ever in my life and it badly affected our daily life in every shape. Our routines changed and people have suffered a huge loss in their jobs and businesses. Many business models have been changed and people are now starting to find new jobs. Due to strict SOPs, opportunities were restricted to very few people and the majority of people couldn’t get sufficient food for their families.

I have also observed that the E-Commerce Industry has achieved massive growth as people avoided to go out and used social media platforms for their needs. Since companies started working from home, this has actually saved them huge operational costs as they operated virtually with their team. I believe that companies will change their working strategy in future and will definitely adopt this working model for their upcoming plans.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

Poverty and health issues are the most common challenges. Beyond Pakistan, they are also being faced by every society across the world. The Covid-19 pandemic has increased these problems as that people were directly hit by the deadly virus. Free access to education was also a big challenge early on in the pandemic. Political instability is also very serious challenge for us. Every government has its own plans and vision and therefore they largely ignore ongoing social projects within communities. This ultimately affects regular people in Pakistan. 

Q: Can you share with us some of the hurdles that you have had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

I believe that career counselling is very important for students. I faced this same hurdle after graduation as I had interests in many fields but had to choose just one. I discussed it with my professors and also took expert advice from professionals in all fields where I had an interest in pursuing a career. It really helped me to choose the right professional field for me.

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

I would like to ask them about their strategies for ensuring the protection of our precious wildlife and also combatting environmental challenges, as these are the most serious concerns these days. Climate change should be the top priority of our leaders.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

The role of Mentor is very important as they can share best practices from their career with their Mentee. We are about to start our professional lives and they have already had those experiences, so their learnings are always helpful.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

Life has taught me so many lessons, but one of them is not to trust blindly, not even your closest peers. I have experienced many bad situations where I had to face the consequences from putting blind trust in my close friends. I will always tell people, "Do not trust everyone blindly” and choose your friends and peers wisely. 

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

We have so many foundations that are doing amazing philanthropic work in the fields of poverty, education and entrepreneurship. I would like to share and appreciate the work of Edhi Foundation, Akhuwat Foundation, JDC Foundation, Al-Khidmat, Chippa Foundation and Red Crescent, among others, all of which have been working 24/7 to improve and save the lives of our people. 

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Previously women faced challenges such as education and employment, but we have seen a great improvement in both areas and now women's participation in almost every field is much stronger and more effective. Harassment is a global challenge which is faced by every country, including Pakistan. However, the Pakistani Government recently passed very strict laws around punishments in the case of harassment. Special commissions have been launched in order to protect women’s rights by our Provincial Governments.

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that you love or you find interesting!

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

I also have a message I wish to share with young people: “Focus on your abilities and start working on achieving your milestones without any fear. Only YOU can do it!”

Q: Can you share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about? 

I want to educate the people of my country about their civic rights. There is such a lack of awareness that many people have no idea about what they are entitled to. I want to drive a project to raise maximum awareness of the Right to Information Act, so people can use their rights wisely. I have participated in a few workshops on the subject, but I believe that it can also be replicated on large scale if we get the support.