Youth urged to expand their worldview, think critically
The Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) organized a two-day workshop in Lahore on January 23-24, 2025, titled “Building Bridges: Fostering Tolerance and Inclusivity among Youth.” It was the fifth in a series of ten two-day training workshops being implemented by PIPS, with an aim of mitigating faith-based persecution and violence by building the capacity of local peace actors and youths. The workshop brought together a diverse array of participants, including educators, students, human rights activists, representatives from religious seminaries, and professionals from various sectors. The event provided a platform for in-depth discussions on key topics such as inclusivity, citizenship rights, the constitution, cultural diversity, the responsible use of social media for promoting a safer society, gender equality, and the importance of future planning. These discussions fostered a dynamic exchange of ideas, encouraging young participants to engage in reflective and constructive dialogue.
The event began with an interactive session led by PIPS Project Manager Muhammad Murtaza, titled “Why This Workshop?” He engaged participants in an activity designed to assess their understanding of inclusivity, diversity, and tolerance. Subsequently, he offered clear explanations of these concepts highlighting their crucial role in building a healthy society. A participant commented on the need of training mothers because they have a primary role in nurturing minds of the future generations.
The workshop was furthered by senior journalist Imran Mukhtar. He conducted a session on ‘Constitution, Parliament and Citizenship’. He outlined the importance, roles, and responsibilities of the three entities and educated participants on the composition and function of parliamentary oversight bodies. He provided a concise overview of the fundamental rights of citizens outlined in the Constitution of Pakistan, and briefly explained the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), along with its recent amendments. In response to a participant’s question regarding loopholes in execution of laws, he emphasized the necessity of reforming the judicial system, which has remained largely unchanged since the British era, to align with contemporary needs.
In the subsequent session, political activist and High Court lawyer Dileep Doshi discussed the topic, ‘Cultural and Ethnic Diversity in Pakistan’. He examined and clarified the concept of diversity through culture, civilization, and religion, engaging participants in interactive discussions to emphasize the importance of inclusivity within diversity. He said, “Pakistan is a multicultural, multilingual, and multiethnic nation. An inclusive approach is essential for its progress. Hatred, bias, and ostracism must not be promoted. A shift in perspective is necessary to build a healthy and thriving society.”
The next session featured a panel discussion titled “What is Paigham-i-Pakistan?” The panel included Allama Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII); Dr. Ammar Khan Nasir, religious scholar and Head of the Department at the School of Arts and Social Sciences, GIFT University, Gujranwala; Peer Ziaulhaq Naqshbandi, anchorperson and religious scholar; and Muhammad Amir Rana, President of PIPS.
Speaking at the panel discussion, Allama Raghib Hussain Naeemi stated that it is the collective responsibility of all signatories of the Paigham-i-Pakistan to work towards the implementation of this unanimous Islamic decree against extremism and terrorism. Unfortunately, he noted, this has not been done. “As terrorism is again rearing its ugly head in the country, there is a dire need for adopting this document in letter and spirit,” he emphasized, pointing out that the signatories are now on the backfoot.
Dr. Ammar Khan Nasir described the Paigham-i-Pakistan as a crucial document that counters the religion-based narratives of extremism and violence that have prevailed in Pakistani society for the past four decades. He highlighted that the document clearly asserts Pakistan’s status as an Islamic state according to its constitution and emphasizes that no individual can take the law into their own hands under the guise of religion. Religious scholars (Aalims) can identify wrongdoings, but the legislation and its implementation must be carried out by the state.
Peer Ziaulhaq Naqshbandi recommended that efforts be made to secure endorsements for the decree against extremism from newly established educational boards for religious seminaries. He further suggested launching an awareness campaign to engage and sensitize the broader public on the issue.
The workshop continued with a panel discussion titled ‘Politics, Journalism, and the State.’ The panel featured Wajahat Masud, a writer and political analyst; Shahid Riaz Gondal, a former advisor to the Chief Minister of Punjab on Energy; Habib Akram, an anchorperson and political analyst; and Gul Nokhaiz, an author, columnist, and journalist.
Habib Akram stated that the space for balanced and impartial reporting in Pakistan has diminished due to state-imposed censorship on the media. He highlighted that journalists are facing state repression for speaking the truth.
Gul Nokhaiz Akhtar disagreed with Akram’s viewpoint, stating that there are numerous ways to tell a news story, but it is crucial to present information with integrity. Emphasizing the need to combat fake news, he noted that some journalists often present only one side of a political story, contributing to the increasing polarization in society.
Shahid Riaz Gondal emphasized on the significance of the freedom of speech. He stated that “if a citizen feels undervalued, unheard, and unable to relate to a system, it indicates that the system is broken. Such a system is in opposition to both modern and religious concepts of the state.” He also added that, rather than resorting to victim-blaming, institutions must take responsibility for the wrongdoings they commit.
The day was rounded off with a session on ‘Diversity, Common Sense and Future Planning’ by President PIPS Muhammad Amir Rana. He conducted an interactive activity where he explained the importance of diversity, worldview, and critical thinking skills with a focus on the new world jargon that promotes inclusivity and diversity.
The second workshop day began with a session conducted by Hina Khaliq Taj, a Research Officer at PIPS, on ‘Gender Equality: Myths, Values, and Practices.’ She provided an overview of the gender stereotypes and roles prevalent in society, followed by a discussion on the relevant constitutional provisions and international treaties aimed at combating discrimination and protecting individual rights.
In the next session, Former Ambassador Mansoor Ahmad Khan spoke on ‘Pakistan in a Changing World.’ In his address the former Ambassador of Pakistan to Afghanistan and Austria, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, stated that Pakistan’s policy should be one of non-alignment, asserting, “We should not be part of any camp, whether that of the US or China.”
Khan further explained that no world order remains permanent. It evolves and eventually collapses. He said there were some key factors due to which some countries dominated in any world order and others didn’t. These elements include military strength, economic power, governance, technology and innovation, and social stability.
He stressed the importance of prioritizing economic reform in Pakistan’s development agenda, noting, “For this purpose, we will have to ensure political stability that will give an opportunity to economic reforms.”
The next session was conducted by senior journalist Imran Mukhtar on ‘Combating Fake News and Fostering Safe Spaces on Social Media’. He underscored the significance of verifying information before sharing it on any platform, noting that the spread of unverified news can lead to widespread violence and pose a serious threat to national security.
In his concluding remarks, PIPS President Muhammad Amir Rana emphasized the importance of critical thinking, describing it as the ability to approach issues from a new perspective by applying common sense. “Common sense is cultivated through observation, acceptability and self-awareness,” he explained, urging the youth to align their worldview with that of the broader global context.