Hello Local Guides,
On May 25th, I was blessed with a truly memorable opportunity, one that allowed me to share the message of our Local Guides community with hundreds of university students for the very first time, inside a packed auditorium in Hyderabad, Sindh.
The event was titled “Youth Empowerment Summit Sindh”, a two-day gathering organized by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs , Government of Sindh, focused on empowering youth from both urban and rural regions.
Before diving into the details, I must take a moment to mention someone who has always understood the value of the Local Guides program and supported our community in Pakistan, Mr. Aleem Lashari from Government Of Sindh. He was the one who invited us to this event and has been instrumental in including Local Guides in such public forums since the post-COVID era. In fact, our first memorable interaction was during a post-pandemic cultural trip across Sindh, which gave us deep insights into local culture and fantastic photography opportunities.
Mr. Lashari was leading this summit with the vision of uplifting youth from Sindh’s rural areas, and he kindly invited us to join. Since the panel discussion had space for one speaker, my name was nominated to represent the Local Guides community.
The event took place on May 24 to 25, and I was scheduled to speak from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM. So, my friends @Bilal_shaikh , @Swalay , and I left Karachi from Karachi Bus Terminal early at 1 PM, under a very hot afternoon sun, to reach Hyderabad (approximately a 3-hour drive covering 150 km).
Upon arrival, we were warmly hosted by our amazing Local Guide friend from Hyderabad, @sheeraz , who arranged a guest house for us to rest and enjoy lunch before the event. After a brief rest, we headed to Hyderabad Club, next to the Sindh Museum, where the summit was taking place.
After getting ready, we attended an engaging session on Artificial Intelligence, moderated by Mr @amarfayaz , right before our panel began.
Here I must admit a small hiccup, unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to connect with the session moderator Romasa Jami before the panel started with Roshni Anwer & Faraz Hussain Buriro . So, initially, the questions I was asked were not directly related to my field, but I did my best to respond thoughtfully.
Once the discussion got aligned, I had the chance to explain the Local Guides program, how it works, and how volunteers from around the world help grow small businesses by adding them to Google Maps, correcting information, and guiding others with reviews and photos.
I also briefly shared the step-by-step process of adding a business to Google Maps, although due to time limitations and lack of prior setup, I couldn’t use the projector to demonstrate it in detail.
Most importantly, I reminded everyone that if they ever need help regarding Google Maps or contributions, they can always reach out to us through Connect or social media.
One of the most touching moments came at the end of the event, when I received a personalized shield as a token of appreciation for being part of the panel as a Local Guides representative. It was truly a proud and emotional moment, similar to when I was honored by the "HBL PSL Hamaray Heroes Award” during the Pakistan Super League Cricket Tournament 2025.
Just like then, I dedicate this recognition to our Local Guides Community. Without this amazing community, I wouldn’t be here. Whatever I’ve learned and applied over the years has come from the support and knowledge shared by friends like you.
The evening ended with a great dinner at a roadside restaurant with Sheeraz, where we enjoyed Nihari, Chicken Tawa, and more. But more than the food, it was the meaningful conversation and the shared laughter that made it special.
This experience has once again reminded me that being a Local Guide isn’t just about adding places, it’s about making real human connections, sharing knowledge, and spreading the message of accessibility, support, and growth.
Experience the Energy of Hyderabad Through This Short YouTube Clip
, we have so much culture, talent, and positivity to offer.
