Ghulam Dastgir, a Pakistani educator, social entrepreneur, and youth leader renowned for founding Jehaad for Zero Thalassemia (JZT)—one of South Asia’s largest youth-led public health movements. His journey from a rural village boy to a nationally recognized changemaker embodies grassroots leadership rooted in empathy, education, and social justice. As a high school physics teacher, he has guided students to global competitions like the International Young Physicists’ Tournament and CERN’s Beamline for Schools, while simultaneously building a volunteer force of over 8,000 youth fighting the stigma and neglect surrounding thalassemia. Under his leadership, JZT has facilitated over 100,000 blood donations, provided long-term support to hundreds of children, and pioneered a nationwide awareness movement now operating in more than 100 cities.

Dastgir’s model blends education, civic activism, and health advocacy to tackle systemic gaps in policy, infrastructure, and public understanding, particularly in underserved and conservative regions of Pakistan. Recognized by organizations such as the Thalassemia International Federation and the United Nations Volunteers, his work transcends borders, offering a replicable framework for community-led health reform. He has spoken at platforms like TEDx and the UNV Youth Conference, advocating for localized, youth-driven solutions to global challenges. Beyond JZT, he has launched environmental and educational initiatives, mentored orphaned children, and been honored with national and international awards, including Pakistan’s Presidential Award of Excellence and the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher nomination.