Peshawar : A prestigious ceremony was held in Mingora to mark the completion of 38 years of the Swat Scouts Open Group (SSOG), a pioneer organization dedicated to the character development and social work of the youth. The event honored all Scout leaders who have contributed to the group’s legacy. SSOG stands as the only volunteer group in Pakistan to have reached this remarkable milestone.
The ceremony saw the attendance of notable social personalities and Scout leaders, including Rafi ul Mulk, Haji Muhammad Ali, Fazal Ali, Salim Ahsan, and other key members. The event paid tribute to the founding members of SSOG, recognizing their dedication and contributions over the years.
For the first time, awards were presented to scouts who excelled in 2024, with special recognitions including Lifetime Achievement Awards and Pride of Performance for those who have served in scouting for 38 consecutive years. SSOG, not only a leading group in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but across Pakistan, has been honored with more than 40 gold medals by the President of Pakistan over its 38-year history.
During the ceremony, speakers highlighted the unfortunate neglect of the Swat Scouts Open Group by government authorities, despite their historic achievements, including winning the most Presidential Gold Medals in the country’s history. They emphasized the group’s leadership in disaster response, environmental conservation, hospital services, and social work, all while instilling self-confidence and responsibility among the younger generation.
It was noted that the leadership of SSOG has been successfully transitioned to the younger generation in the past three years, who have continued to uphold the group’s values and mission. This year, under their guidance, SSOG also organized the first National-level Pakistan Scouts Open Group Integral Conference in Swat, attracting scouts from across the country.
The ceremony was further enlivened by performances from the scouts, who presented Hamd, Naat, national songs, sketches, and Pashto songs, earning great applause from the attendees.