PESHAWAR: National Think Tank and Good Governance Forum in collaboration with the Institute of Management Sciences organised a seminar on ‘non-violence in the framework of Khudai Khidmatgar movement’.

Dr Safoora Arbab, a PhD scholar from California University, Los Angeles, while citing examples of Khudai Khidmatgar’s literature, including excerpts from Ghaffar Khan’s autobiography and a poem, illustrated how they conceived of the framework of non-violence.

“In their self-imaginaries non-violence was understood not just as a form of physical resistance but as an alternate way of being in the world.”

Dr Arbab explored how the Khudai Khidmatgar movement led by Abdul Ghaffar Khan conceptualised non-violence not just as a physical resistance strategy but as a way of life.

“Drawing from Ghaffar Khan’s autobiography and Ghani Khan’s poetry, Dr Arbab highlighted the movement’s emphasis on patience, righteousness, and Hindu-Muslim unity. She also discussed how the movement’s non-violent resistance, despite facing severe repression, inspired India’s independence movement.

Following her insightful lecture, Dr Arbab engaged with the audience, fielding a range of questions and addressing them with clarity and conviction.

Her thoughtful responses provided further depth and nuance to the discussion, demonstrating her expertise on the subject.

Responding to the questions, she said in real politic this might have appeared to be a utopia and might not be translated into reality, but striving for non-violence in sync with nature, therefore, must be strived.

An interesting discussion took place on the relevance of non- violence in the prevalent violent environment in the region.

Mashal Khan, grandson of Ghani Khan, said non-violence could provide an alternative framework for solution to the issue of terrorism in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, chairman National Think Tank and Good Governance Forum, said non- violence was imperative for democratic values and enjoyment of fundamental rights.

He said the Universal Declaration for Human Rights carried the essence of non-violence. He added that in an atmosphere of terrorism (violence) fundamental rights were the biggest casualty.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2024