“Empowering the Next generation with the right tools, knowledge, and values for sustainable peace in NMDs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” By Dr. Qibla Ayaz during One-day seminar on “The Role of Youth for a Peaceful and Prosperous Pakistan in Peshawar”

Peshawar, April 10, 2025 “By empowering the next generation with the right tools, knowledge, and values, we can foster a future where peace is not just an aspiration, but a lived reality for all.” said Dr. Qibla Ayaz was appointed as ad-hoc member of Supreme Court’s Shariat Appellate Bench

In a powerful gathering held at the Business Incubation Centre, University of Peshawar, young voices and peacebuilder from diverse segments of the society came together under one roof to reimagine the future of Pakistan’s Newly Merged Districts (NMDs). The seminar, titled “The Role of Youth for a Peaceful and Prosperous Pakistan,” was organized by CHEF International under its Hum Pakistan initiative, held in collaboration with UNODC Pakistan and NACTA, with generous support from the European Union.

Over 100 youth leaders representing different Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of KP—namely Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, and the Frontier Regions (FRs)—many of whom have lived through conflict and trauma—gathered to reimagine their role as builders of peace, not merely its recipients. Among them were victims of terrorism, now inspiring beacons of resilience, courage, and community leadership.

The seminar created space for meaningful conversations on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by youth in the newly merged district of KP. It brought together a vibrant mix of academics, civil society actors, and youth leaders who shared a common belief: that young people are not just passive observers of peace—they are its most powerful drivers.

In his keynote address, Dr. Amir Raza reminded the participants that peace starts within. “Before you change the world, you must first invest in your own growth—both personally and professionally,” he said. His message was echoed by Ghulam Murtaza, Project Lead at CHEF International, who emphasized the importance of youth-centered approaches and their alignment with national efforts.

One of the seminar’s highlights was an engaging panel discussion moderated by Taimoor Shah, featuring four influential voices from diverse fields. Ms. Shufta Malik spoke passionately about inclusive governance and how systems must open doors for youth. Dr. Sawera Parkash, a minority rights advocate, highlighted the urgent need for accessible, quality education for all, especially marginalized communities. Dr. Minhas Majeed Khan, Chairperson of the Department of International Relations at the University of Peshawar, discussed how education and engagement must counter youth radicalization in the NMDs and the need for such forums to raise awareness and mobilize local efforts.

Adding a faith-based perspective, Mr. Tahmeed Jan, a religious scholar and peace practitioner, emphasized the role of interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance in bridging divides and building a shared future.

The dialogue touched on urgent issues—digital radicalization, gender and economic disparities in education, and the integration of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms like jirgas into modern peacebuilding strategies. A unifying message emerged from the seminar: local problems require local solutions—rooted in inclusivity, resilience, and youth leadership.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Ad-hoc member of Supreme Court’s Shariat Appellate Bench, reiterated the urgent need to equip youth with moral guidance, education, and civic responsibility to create a peaceful and pluralistic Pakistan.

This activity marks a significant milestone of the project- CPTP, Countering and Preventing Terrorism in Pakistan. Funded by the EU, led by NACTA and executed by UNODC with its partner civil society organization, the project aims at empowering community resilience against violent extremism and acts of violence via a three-pronged strategy.  The “Hum Pakistan” initiative of Chef International focuses on empowering tribal youth of Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of KP through peacebuilding training,  organizing series of seminars/ interventions and media campaigns.