May 14, 2018: Founder CODE PAKISTAN Mr. Dilawar Khan gave a talk at the FATA University in Frontier Region (FR) Kohat. The talk on the subject of \”the role of youth in peace-building\” was part of a one-day seminar at the FATA University. The talk was focused on how the youth of FATA could participate in peacebuilding initiatives and how they could spread the message of peace and inclusivity. Mr. Khan held an in-depth discussion with the students of FATA university on the primacy of peaceful co-existence as an essential element of a prosperous society. The students of FATA University took a keen interest in peace initiatives and were eager to engage with national organizations for the promotion of peace, tolerance, and inclusivity.
Mr. Khan discussed the UN Resolution 2250 and its key aspects, i.e., Recognizes the threat to stability and development posed by the rise of radicalization among the youth (defined as persons aged 18 through 29), Recognizes today\’s generation of youth as the largest the world has known, accounting for a majority of the population of countries affected by armed conflict, including refugees and IDPs, Argues for setting up mechanisms to enable young people to participate in peace efforts, dispute resolution and reconciliation, in conflict and post-conflict situations, at regional and international levels, Expresses concern over the increased use of the internet by terrorists to recruit and incite youth to commit terrorist acts, and emphasizes the need to work together to prevent terrorists from exploiting new technologies. Mr. Khan further stated that terrorism was a symptom of a much deeper problem of extremism in the society. Only the individuals who are intolerant of divergent opinions resort to violence in the name of what they believe to be right, he maintained.
The establishment of the FATA University Dara Adam Khel, FR Kohat, is a landmark achievement that marks the beginning of a new chapter in academic and research excellence in FATA. The university is situated in a place where a few years ago the terror of terrorism reigned. Today, peace has arrived in the region and the youth of FATA are feeling proud to be playing their part in peacebuilding.
Other participants of the seminar were the Director General of Islamic Research Institute (IRI) Dr. Zia ul Islam, the Head of the Department of the IRI Dr. Aftab Ahmad HOD, Gaddi Nashin of Ghamgol Sharif Pir Habib Ullah Shah, Member of National Assembly Mr. Qaiser Jamal, Vice Chancellor of FATA University Dr. M. Tahir Shah, Deputy Commissioner of District Kohat Mr. Khalid Ilyas, and District Khateeb of Kohat Maulana Shafi Ullah.