Speakers at a series of seminars stressed the youth to use the potential of social media in a positive way and contribute their maximum to peace building and national integration in the country.
A two-day training workshop titled ‘Advancing Inclusiveness among Youth through Training and Education’ was held at Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar, jointly organised by Paigham-e-Pakistan Centre for Peace, Reconciliation and Reconstruction Studies, Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), and Khyber Medical University, Peshawar.
Prof Dr Zia ul Haq, Director General, Islamic Research Institute; Prof Dr Arshad Javaid, Vice Chancellor, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, and Rustam Khan, Deputy Director, Islamic Research Institute, were prominent among those who spoke on the occasion.
Dr Inayat Shah, director sports, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, welcomed the guests and the participants and appreciated the efforts made to spread the message of peace throughout the country. Eight interactive sessions were held during the two-day training workshop in which students participated actively and the resource persons conducted different practical activities to engage them in order to familiarize them with the opportunities and challenges in the way of reconstruction of an inclusive society in Pakistan.
During the workshop, resource persons discussed about the challenges being faced by this generation in spreading the message of peace. While addressing the participants, they said it is important for the youth to use the potential of social media in a positive way and stressed upon the need to contribute their maximum to efforts for peace building and national integration in the country.
The workshop concluded with keynote address by Prof Dr Arshad Javaid, vice chancellor, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar. Later, certificates were distributed among the participants.
Another one-day seminar titled “Youth Engagement for Peace Building and Perception Management through Paigham-e-Pakistan’ was held on Monday at Islamia University Bahawalpur, jointly organised by Paigham-e-Pakistan Centre for Peace, Reconciliation and Reconstruction Studies, Islamic Research Institute (IRI), International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI); Department of Islamic Studies, Islamia University Bahawalpur; and University of Gujrat.
Dr Hafiz Iftikhar Ahmed, chairperson, Islamic Studies Department, Islamia University Bahawalpur, welcomed the guests and the participants. Prof Dr Athar Mehboob, vice chancellor, Islamia University Bahawalpur, presided over the session while Prof Dr Ahmed Yousif Ahmed Al Draiweesh, president, International Islamic University Islamabad, was the chief guest. Prof Dr Zia ul Haq, director general, Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University Islamabad, was the guest of honor at the seminar. A huge number of youth, faculty members and students attended the seminar.
The speakers engaged the youth and sensitized them about their role in peace building and to overcome the challenges faced by the country. Students from Islamia University Bahawalpur demonstrated their love for the beloved country and sung different national songs. Others participated in cultural presentations made in the course of the seminar. On the occasion, the youth pledged to work hard for the bright future of Pakistan.
The third event of the series is scheduled to be held at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, on Tuesday (today). The speakers will be highlighting the importance of the role the youth can play in reconstruction of the society by defeating the forces of extremism, terrorism and violence.