Over 110 young leaders from 23 chapters gathered in Islamabad for Young Leaders Society's General Body Meeting — the largest single gathering in the organisation's history.
Young Leaders Society marked a significant milestone in its journey of youth empowerment when it hosted its most ambitious General Body Meeting to date at Trade Expeditors Pakistan (Private) Limited, Islamabad. The event brought together over 110 passionate young leaders representing 23 active chapters from across the country — a clear demonstration of the organisation's remarkable growth.
Representatives arrived from BMI, NUML, Air University, FJWU, NUST, NDU, and more than a dozen other institutions. The presence of founding members Tabish Hamid and Daniyal Abdullah added historical gravity to the proceedings. The Executive Council — including Zainab Fatima, Mirwais Khan, and Hassan Abdurrehman — facilitated discussions that set the tone for the organisation's next chapter.
Daniyal Abdullah opened the session with a reflective look at YLS's origins during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden shift to online education had created a void in leadership opportunities for Pakistani youth, particularly affecting freshmen who were deprived of traditional university experiences. That shared frustration became the catalyst for Young Leaders Society — transforming from a conversation between friends into a nationwide movement.
Tabish Hamid elaborated on the organisation's core philosophy: "True leadership isn't taught in lectures — it's forged through real experience and collective action."
A compelling segment addressed the systemic barriers to leadership development in Pakistan's education system. Participants engaged frankly about how traditional pedagogy prioritises rote learning over critical thinking, and how the suppression of student unions has created a generation of followers rather than leaders.
Maaz Khan of the NUML chapter articulated what many felt: "Where our institutions fail to prepare us for leadership, Young Leaders Society steps in — giving us not just the theory, but the actual platform to lead, make mistakes, and grow."
The GBM served as a strategic planning session for the organisation's ambitious expansion objectives:
As the sun set over Islamabad, the formal session transitioned into a joyous Iftar gathering generously sponsored by Cheezious. The dinner provided space for members to bond over shared meals and continue discussions in a relaxed atmosphere — embodying Young Leaders Society's spirit of unity.
Director R&D Manahil Zia closed the day: "What makes Young Leaders Society extraordinary is that we're not waiting for permission to lead — we're creating the spaces where leadership can flourish today."