TIMES REPORT
ABBOTTABAD: The Department of History, University of Peshawar and NIPS, in collaboration with the Directorate of Youth Affairs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism (KP CVE), successfully organized a 4-day Youth Convention on Countering Violent Extremism at the scenic Baragali Summer Camp, Nathiagali. The convention ran from April 10 to April 13, 2026.
The event brought together 120 young participants from the Newly Merged Districts of KP, various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other regions of Pakistan. The diverse representation aimed to foster inter-regional dialogue and build a shared understanding of peace and tolerance among youth from different socio-cultural backgrounds.
The four-day program was carefully curated to include a mix of interactive learning sessions, exposure visits to sites of historical and cultural significance, structured group work, policy debates, and open discussions. These activities were designed to equip participants with critical thinking skills, promote civic engagement, and challenge extremist narratives through dialogue and education.
Officials and representatives from the Department of Youth Affairs, KP, actively participated in the proceedings and engaged with the youth during multiple sessions.
The convention featured a distinguished panel of speakers and trainers. Key resource persons included Dr. Ammar Khan Nasir, an Islamic scholar from Lahore; Prof. Dr. Husnul Amin Director of the National Institute of Pakistan Studies (NIPS), Quaid-i-Azam University; Prof. Dr. Safeer Awan, Pro-Rector, National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Islamabad; Amna Durrani from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW); and several other renowned academics and CVE practitioners.
The speakers unanimously commended the organizers for convening this timely initiative. They emphasized that the convention is critically important in the current socio-political context, where segments of youth are increasingly vulnerable to radical ideologies and violent tendencies in both thought and action. They noted that Pakistan, and particularly the Newly Merged Districts of KP, remain susceptible to the threats of violent extremism due to various socio-economic and political factors. In this context, such youth-focused interventions are vital milestones for promoting inclusive narratives and reshaping mindsets toward peace and civic responsibility.
Participants expressed deep appreciation for the event. They described the learning sessions as insightful, the exposure visits as eye-opening, and the overall environment as conducive to open expression and mutual learning. Many highlighted that the convention gave them new perspectives on conflict resolution, cultural diversity, and the role of youth in peace building.
The organizers reaffirmed their commitment to continuing such engagements and expanding the outreach of CVE initiatives across the province.
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