4-DAY NATIONAL PEACE FESTIVAL CONCLUDED,
Islamabad_A four-day National Peace Festival, 18th to 21st September, 2023 concluded here today in Islamabad. The four-day National Peace Festival was organized by NACTA in commemoration of United Nation International Day of Peace celebrated on 21st September each year. The objective of this event was to uphold and enhance social agreement against extremism and engage social actors in exchanging knowledge and proposing solutions to promote lasting peace in the country.
NACTA in line with its mandate collaborated through this four-day National Peace Festival with its diversified stakeholders. Experts and practitioners, academia, religious scholars, media, policy makers and community leaders participated to work together in enhancing social consensus in the fight against extremism.
The National Peace Festival was concluded with the Minister for information and Broadcasting, Mr. Murtaza Solangi, as Chief Guest. He delved into the issue of extremism and how it is disturbing peace in Pakistan. He said that the change in Afghan situation brought major changes in the region, particularly impacting Pakistan. He then discussed the journey Pakistan has had in overcoming said challenges. The honorable Minister noted that although Pakistan has suffered from terrorism for a considerable time, it has also fought against the same with great valour and spirit. He paid tribute to the frontline fighters against terrorism who laid their lives in the cause of countering terrorism and extremism. Referring to the National Action Plan, he said that Pakistan has been engaging with all segments of society in its devotion to countering terrorism and violent extremism.
Looking forward, Mr. Solangi noted that Pakistan is now looking towards stabilizing its future, relying on creation of economic opportunities in all relevant fields. This can be realized only after we comprehensively defeat extremism.
Federal Minister for Human Rights, Mr. Khalil George also graced the occasion with his presence. Speaking on the vision for a peaceful and tolerant Pakistan, he stressed upon the importance of interfaith harmony in the social society. While referring to the recent unfortunate incident of Jaranwala, the Minister said that the menace of extremism was the only reason behind the sad incident. Mr. Khalil also hailed the humanitarian role of local community in providing shelter and safety to the victims in their homes and mosques.
The Minister discussed Pakistan’s vision for a democratic Pakistan, remarking that Pakistan was built upon the values of democracy, justice fair play, and interfaith harmony as envisioned by Dr. Allama Iqbal and Qauid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Earlier, the National Coordinator NACTA, Inspector General of Police, Mr. Muhammad Tahir Rai, HSt, SI warmly welcomed and expressed his gratitude towards the honorable guests and participants from various walks of life for joining hands with NACTA in the national cause of fighting against terrorism and extremism. While delivering his opening remarks,
Mr. Rai said that Pakistanis are a great nation. No doubt, we are living in difficult times, but no one gets a perfect world. Global events like wars, epidemics and climate change have definitely affected billions of people in fields of food and energy. Billions are facing hunger. We are also affected, obviously. But still Pakistanis are able to face it boldly by sharing food and happiness with each other. We have many blessings which other people don’t have. Having said that, Pakistan with its cultural diversity, exemplifies the strength of unity in the face of diversity. Our history is a diverse tapestry of communities, languages and traditions that have shaped our vibrant society. Here diversity has become a source of strength that enriches our nation.
Mr. Rai said that we face several challenges including conflicts, regional wars, insecurity and environmental calamities. Pakistan has suffered at the hands of violent extremists. It is also grappling with a notable issue of rising intolerance, especially in its semi-literate youth. Nevertheless, amidst these trials, our resilience and resolve are most prominently displayed. He informed the participants that NACTA is actively engaged in developing mechanisms to strategize solutions for the prevailing issue of growing intolerance in our country. “We are working with our partners in other ministries and institutions to give solutions and most importantly engage with youth”, he added.
The National Coordinator apprised the participants that NACTA is also working with local and international partners, think tanks and other stakeholders to reach out to educational institutions to promote Pakistani way of life which is based on indigenous Pakistani values of hospitality, sympathy and pursuit of happiness. He informed that NACTA has developed a comprehensive National CVE Policy 2023. Pakistan’s national narrative against terrorism and extremism is a part of that policy. It is made available on NACTA’s website. These policy documents are aimed at implementing an integrated model that embraces a whole-of-the-government and whole-of-the-society approach to effectively prevent and counter extremism and foster peaceful co-existence in our society. Mr. Rai said that the sport of cricket is our national craze as it binds people from all four corners of the country. “We must promote these values to indirectly prevent extremism. We need to make those ordinary successful Pakistani people our heroes who excel in hard work and education. We must glamorize them. We should stop living in the past and face the current circumstance. We need to tell the youth that our future lies in education, science and sports”.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Tahir Rai said that on this occasion of International Peace Day, let us re-affirm our dedication to fostering peace and harmony in Pakistan and the world. He was hopeful that the candid discussions during the sessions of the last two days of the National Peace Festival i.e. 20th & 21st September, 2023, will serve as means to make the world a peaceful planet characterized by tranquility and unity. Pakistan needs to play its important role in achieving these aims.
In a bid to engage the youth of the country in positive and healthy activities and steering them away from the extremism and terrorism, initial two days of this National Peace Festival was dedicated to a Cricket Gala amongst students of the conventional schools & Colleges and the Madrassah Students of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Total eight teams participated in this soft ball cricket tournament, which included the teams of IMPCC, H-8/4, Head Start,Beacsonhouse, IMCB F8/4, Jamia Darululoom, JamiaMuhammadia Ghosia, Jamia Islamabnad and Jamia Ahl-e-Bait. The final was played between two Madrasaah Teams, i.e. Jamia Muhammadia Ghosia and Jamia Darululoom, Islamabad. The Jamia Muhammadia Ghousia won the tournament. Wining and Runners-up were awarded cash and certificates were given to all the participants of the eight teams. Similarly, two more competiotions were held during the National Peace Festival, i.e. Live Painting and Declamation Contest between the students of various schools, colleges and universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. More than 60 students participated; cash rewards to winners and certificates to all participants were also distributed.
The last two days of National Peace Festival had marathon sessions on ten different topics, which included, Vision for a Peaceful & Tolerant Pakistan, Gender Engagement & Prevention of Violent Extremism, Dynamics of Internal Security, Role of Print, Electronic and Social Media in Prevention of Violent Extremism, National Action Plan, Re-imagining Charities & Almsgiving in Pakistan, Terrorism: Narratives and Counter Narratives, Emerging Approaches to Conflict, Prevention and Resolution, and finally the Critical Peace Studies in Pakistan
Above topics of the sessions were extensively discussed by experts and practitioners, academia, religious scholars, media, policy makers and community leaders, which included Mr. Khalil George, Federal Minister for Human Rights, Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology, Dr. Asghar Zaidi, Vice Chancellor Government College University, Mr. Hamid Mir, Mr. Zahid Hussain, Mr. Adil Shahzeb, Mr. Imtiaz Gul, Mr. Kamran Yousuf and Aizaz Syed, Senior Journalists and writers, Ms. Fouzia Waqar of NCSW, Ms. Mumtaz Mughal of Aurat Foundation, Ms. Helena Iqbal Saeed, Additional IGP / UN Police Commissioner, Dr. Shabana Fayyaz, Researcher & Academic, Mr. Muhammad Ali Babakhel, Additional IGP, KP, Dr. Muhammad Makki of NUST, Islamabad, Mr. Amir Rana, Independent Analyst PIPS, Mr. Ihsan Ghani, Ex-IGP / former National Coordinator NACTA, to name a few of the honorable panelists.
The National Peace Festival ended with note of thanks by the National Coordinator NACTA, IGP Muhammad Tahir Rai, Hilal-i-Shujaat, Sitara-i-Imtiaz.
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