| “ | Scouting can play a very vital role in forming the character of our youth, promoting their physical, mental and spiritual development and making them well disciplined, useful and good citizens. We are living in a far from perfect world. Despite the progress of civilization, the law of jungle, unfortunately, still prevails. Might is considered right and the strong do not refrain from exploiting the weak. Self advancement, greed and lust for power sway the conduct of individuals, as that of nations. | ” |
J. S. Wilson, Director of the Boy Scouts International Bureau, visited Karachi in 1952 as guest of J.D. Shuja, the General Secretary of the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association. During his visit, he saw Bhit Island, off Karachi, a fishing community primarily of refugees, who had been adopted by a Karachi Scout group, the Rovers and older Scouts of which were staffing a school until a regular teacher could be appointed. In Bahawalpur, Wilson was welcomed by Brigadier M.A. Abbasi, Deputy Chief Scout Commissioner who had been at the 1951 World Jamboree in Austria and would later lead the Pakistani contingent at the 1957 Jubilee Jamboree. At Lahore, Wilson met the Scouts and Bluebirds (Brownies) of the Deaf and Dumb Institute, and visited A.R. Sardar Hussain, Scout Camp Chief for Pakistan, Squadron Leader H.V. Bhatty, Scout Provincial Secretary and Deputy Camp Chief, and Mir M. Mohsin, who later succeeded Shuja as General Secretary.
Scouting continued in East and West Pakistan as part of the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association until the country was split in the 1970s.
Niaz M. Khan served on the World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1963 to 1969. In 1969, Mr. Khan was awarded the Bronze Wolf of the World Organization of the Scout Movement by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting.
Program
Currently PBSA has nine provincial sub-associations, namely:
- Punjab Boy Scouts Association
- Sindh Boy Scouts Association
- Baluchistan Boy Scouts Association
- North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Boy Scouts Association
- Northern Areas Boy Scouts Association
- Azad Kashmir Boy Scouts Association
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Boy Scouts Association
- Pakistan Railways Boy Scouts Association
- Islamabad Boy Scouts Association
Scouting is practically managed in Pakistan by the provincial Scout associations; the purpose of the smaller Districts is to manage the movement efficiently and as per the rules and regulations of PBSA.
Scouts have gained the respect of the citizens for their untiring work during floods, where they have collected and distributed food and clothing. They have evacuated trapped people to safety, and run first aid stations in refugee camps. They have been active in helping rebuild destroyed villages.
Scout program emphasis is on community service and conservation.
There is a program for handicapped Scouts supported by former Scouts in the Baden-Powell Guild.
From September 2007, Scouting will become compulsory in schools. The aim is to have one million youth volunteers to help out in emergencies. Two per cent of exam fees collected by the examination boards will be paid to the various Scouting and Guiding organisations.
Sections
- Shaheen Scouts/Cubs-ages 7 to 11
- Scouts-ages 12 to 16
- Rovers-ages 17 to 25
Scout Motto
Scout Oath
Scout and Rover Law
- Scout/Rover kable etmad hota hai - A Scout/Rover is trustworthy
- Scout/Rover furmanbardar aur wafadar hota hai - A Scout/Rover is loyal and obedient
- Scout/Rover khush ehlag aur madadgar hota hai - A Scout/Rover is courteous and helpful
- Scout/Rover hur aik ka dost aur hur Scout ka bhai hota hai - A Scout/Rover is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout
- Scout/Rover meharban aur buhadar hota hai - A Scout/Rover is kind and courageous
- Scout/Rover kafayat shuaar hota hai - A Scout/Rover is thrifty
- Scout/Rover pakeeza aur huns mukh hota hai - A Scout/Rover is clean and cheerful
