Two Pakistanis Named among 'Asia 21 Young Leaders’

Pakistanis across the world felt proud on Wednesday when two fellow countrymen were included among the   Asia 21 Young Leader Class 2015   by the Asia Society in New York.

Mohsin Ali Mustafa and Muhammad Sabir are the two individuals from Pakistan who hold the honor of being part of the prestigious class of 2015 among others from different parts of the world including Bangladesh, Nepal, Iran, Thailand and India.

The Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative, which is in its 10th year, boasts a network of over 800 young leaders from 30 nations.

Asia 21 young leaders are selected through a highly competitive process based on exceptional achievements, commitment to public service and a proven ability to make the world a better place, a press release said.

Mohsin is a medical doctor in Pakistan who manages the communications and strategy of Aman Healthcare Services. This position has allowed him to work with the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, where he is creating a disaster-management framework for Karachi and eventually the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia regions. He has trained over 11,000 people in basic life support and first response.

The young doctor loves the outdoors and is passionate about disaster-management. He has trekked to the base camps of K2, Nanga Parbat and Rakaposhi. This August, he will scale a 7000-meter peak, Spantik. He is also an advanced open-water scuba diver, and runs a diving company with friends called Divers Reef Karachi.

The other Pakistani contender, Muhammad Sabir, is the founder of Slumabad, an organization that seeks to give every child living in slums the opportunity to experience joy, and to save lives through promoting safe sanitation practices.

Previously, he worked with Khudi Pakistan, Door of Awareness, and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

“I grew up in the slums and educated myself despite severe economic and social pressures not to do so. I read Great Expectations when I was a kid, and was inspired to work toward a better future for myself, my family, and my community. An effective leader is a dreamer who dares to join existing possibilities with his vision while managing the expectations of those around him.”

“The new class of Asia 21 Young Leaders is a remarkable group. We are excited to introduce these leaders of the Asia-Pacific region to the Asia 21 Network, where they will find mentors, potential collaborators, and, we hope, new friends,” said Asia Society president and CEO Josette Sheeran.