PESHAWAR: Speakers at a daylong peace festival held at the University of Peshawar the other day asked the young graduates to actively participate in the process of promoting the cause of peace and democracy so that positive social norms could take firm roots for a pluralistic and inclusive society.

The festival featured three segments, including a detailed debate, a Pashto poetry session and a musical concert.

The main objective was to mobilise the youth to engage in positive activities. Also youth were asked to know about the significance of dialogue culture and the value of peace economy in the current social, regional and global scenario.

Centre for Regional Policy and Dialogue (CRPD), a not-for-profit organisation, arranged the seminar.

Daylong peace festival held at Peshawar varsity

Mehran Wazir, chief of CRPD, said the festival aimed at fostering dialogue, cultural exchange and communal harmony for bringing about peace and enhancing social and political process in the region. “Youth have strength to impact society through their positive thinking and critical approaches.”

Prof Syed Iran Ashraf, a senior faculty member of the UoP’s department of journalism and mass communication, pointed out that youth mobilisation was an integral part of any successful change in a society. “Youth should be equipped with critical thinking and a directed political objective.”

He said well-thought out alternatives through positive resistance could work well to achieve the objectives of interfaith harmony, high level of tolerance and regard for democratic values.

Prof Ilam Khan, a senior faculty member at Rifa International University, Islamabad, observed the people of KP enjoyed a long history having roots in peaceful co-existence and strong social cohesion. “Such events would help youth to get reconnected to their historical roots.”

Prof Naureen Naseer, a senior teacher at the political science department of UoP, stressed the need for raising awareness regarding the importance of a political thought process among youth.

Later, a Pashto mushaira was arranged in which Prof Abasin Yousafzai, Haseena Gul Kakakhel and Maqsood Mahud presented their pieces laden with message for peace and mutual respect.

The poetry session was followed by a musical concert. Noted folk singers, including Shaukat Swati, Rahman Gul Ustad and Ulfat Bibi, sang popular numbers of progressive Pashto poets and received a thunderous applause from the audience.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2024