More than 500 young people take part

National Youth Peace Festival

Islamabad

More than 500 young people from across Pakistan gathered in Islamabad for 6th National Youth Peace Festival 2016 at National Library and Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS).

The event was organised by Young Parliamentarians Forum of National Assembly of Pakistan and Chanan Development Association (CDA)’ a national youth-led organisation, in collaboration with Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO), Provincial youth affairs departments, Riphah International University and University of Central Punjab (UCP). The theme of the peace festival was ‘Youth for Peace and Countering Violent Extremism.’

During the four days event, young people from diverse cultures, ethnicities, religions, communities, and socio-economic background interacted with each other in a positive manner. Their interaction focused on understanding each others’ opinions, beliefs. This gave them a chance to respect and celebrate Pakistan’s diversity. The young people deliberated upon the National Action Plan, Cyber Crime Law, space for civil society, Sustainable Development Goals, interfaith harmony, countering hate speech, South Asia Peace Initiative and Kashmir issue. They also interacted with senior members of Parliament, civil society, media, political and religious leaders.

Minister of State for Interior, Federal Education & Professional Training Baligh-ur-Rehman inaugurated the event. Federal Minister of Planning and Development Professor Dr. Ahsan Iqbal addressed a session on Sustainable Development Goals, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Masood Ahmed Khan and spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Nafees Zakria addressed the closing ceremony of the event.

Lord Nazir Ahmed (Member House of Common – UK), Eknath Thakal (Member Parliament of Nepal), Shah Ghulam Qadir, Speaker AJK Legislative Assembly and Sardar Muhammad Attique (former Prime Minister AJK) also addressed the young audience. Three young leaders, i.e. Mahira Ahmed Miyangi, Waqar Khalid and Inayat Ullah Tiger were presented with Youth Peace Icon Award.

In his closing remarks, the president Azad Jammu and Kashmir congratulated the Young Parliamentarians Forum and Chanan Development Association (CDA) for organising the conference. He said that it is the need of the hour to engage young people in positive activities, particularly around countering violent extremism.