ISLAMABAD: Experts have stressed the need to reset the existing system to address structural imbalances in society and achieve “positive” peace, noting that mutual trust and collaboration can initiate and strengthen the peace building process in Pakistan.
They were speaking at a two-day national workshop titled ‘Building Bridges: Fostering Tolerance and Inclusivity among Youth’ held here on Wednesday.
The event was organised by Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) and attended by 40 young observers, including local peacebuilders, members of minorities, teachers and students from colleges, universities and seminaries across the country.
Educationist and trainer Dr Afshan Huma, in her session on ‘Peacebuilding through Peace Education’, said the absence of war and conflict did not necessarily mean peace prevailed. “Cultural and structural forms of violence are inherent in our present system,” she said, adding that it needed to be reset.
Noting that no society enjoyed “absolute peace”, she said only positive peace could be attained if people were provided equal opportunities and conflicts resolved amicably.
Scholar and author Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy spoke about “decreasing standards” of education in Pakistan.
He said the present education system had failed to equip youth with the required skills and training to compete for jobs compared to other South Asian nations. “We must promote book reading and critical questioning in society,” he stressed.
Dr Khalid Masud, ad hoc member of the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court, said peacebuilding was possible only when consensus was developed through effective communication.
All communication should be carried out responsibly, he said, adding that communication in Islam had four key features: accepting difference of opinion, maintaining respect and courtesy, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong (Amr Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar), and promoting accountability.
First Secretary (Political) at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Pakistan Jorin van den Heuvel interacted with participants and said youth were the future of Pakistan. Joint Director PIPS Safdar Sial urged the youth to model psychological resilience, saying, “This will help counter radicalisation in your own lives and in every community where you live or work.”
PIPS President Mohammad Amir Rana called for reducing hatred and promoting greater compassion in daily life. “Communication is effective only when it is based on truth,” he said.
Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2026
