The need for de-weaponization is greatly felt in the country, where violence of multiple types, ranging from domestic to militancy, often resorts to easily-available weapons. Besides bringing upon attitudinal changes in the people to ward them off from display of weapons, the state should take lead role in ensuring efficient services especially security to the … Read more
Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) successfully engaged around 200 college and madrassa students in a series of joint extra-curricular activities with a view to shed mutually held misperception and stereotypes between the two groups. These activities, spanning six months, were part of the “Hum Ahang” (In Harmony) initiative. Between December 2016 and January 2017, … Read more
Provincial Dialogue Forum – 2 It is to the absence of social harmony that non-Muslims in Pakistan are being treated as outsiders not only by radicals but also apparently-moderate individuals. Even in elite institutions, there are numerous instances of students or teachers passing comments that reek of bias and stereotypes against non-Muslims. These thoughts came … Read more
Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) has hosted a series of education and awareness workshops on the code of ethics for Pakistani media, in the four provincial capitals and Islamabad. The learning activity, held at press clubs of the respective cities, disseminated the “Code of Ethics for Pakistani Media” and generated debate on it. Pakistan Coalition of … Read more
On 25 May 2017, PIPS hosted “Inclusive and Secure Pakistan” seminar, releasing a national policy report on how to counter violent extremism in Pakistan, and discussing debate on the content of that document. Participants of the seminar urged upon the parliamentarians to help confront the issue by instilling a fresh narrative, overseeing policies impacting internal … Read more
Teachers can help in building a healthy and inclusive society by supporting and building environment in classroom that promotes atmosphere of tolerance and co-existence among diverse background students. Pre-requisite for such an environment is that teachers should be properly trained and well-off in respective knowledge areas. These views came in a workshop for over 30 … Read more
PIPS workshop with teachers and educationists-I Teachers shape societies; a good teacher should be receptive to inclusive opinions. But teachers, influenced by one or other political consideration, end up distorting society, towards parochialism. This was shared in the one-day training program on “The role of teachers in social and religious harmony”, arranged by Pak Institute … Read more
Punjab’s cultural diversity is regarded as shield against the extremist views, but violence has been eroding that pluralism. Even the rich cultural events have been overtaken by narrow events along sectarian lines in otherwise inclusive towns of Punjab. These views were expressed by participants of the first provincial-level consultation on countering violent extremism. The consultation, … Read more
CVE Consultation-10 A consolidated internal security policy be devised, which articulates the roadmap towards addressing those challenges. Only then can violent extremism of all shades be extirpated from the society. These thoughts came in the working group session on “Internal security and challenges”, the tenth in a series of sessions aimed at countering violent extremism, … Read more
CVE Consultation-9 Any attempt to counter extremism from the society cannot ignore reform in the education sector. This much is repeatedly stressed. A working group has suggested that any measure aimed at reforming measure should aim at achieving knowledge-based society. Only then can individuals be engaged be more immune to the monolithic messaging of militants. … Read more