Rawalpindi: Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) on Monday hosted a policy-focused seminar examining the role of youth in preventing and countering violent extremism (CVE), emphasizing resilience, inclusion, and constructive engagement in today’s complex social environment.
Organized under the Policy Dialogue Forum, the seminar was attended by a large number of students, faculty members, deans, and administrative officials. Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, who is also Patron-in-Chief of the forum, welcomed participants and stressed the importance of informed dialogue in nurturing socially responsible and peace-oriented youth.
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The event featured Dr. Ahmad Khawar Shahzad, DCO of the Punjab Centre of Excellence on CVE, as chief guest. In his address, he appreciated the discipline and active participation of PMAS-AAUR students and highlighted the university’s academic and research initiatives. He referred to centers working on precision agriculture, water-efficient technologies, and industrial biotechnology as indicators of Pakistan’s growing academic and technological capacity.
Dr. Shahzad encouraged students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, noting that innovation, economic opportunity, and critical thinking are essential components in building a peaceful and progressive society. He underscored that meaningful youth engagement plays a crucial role in countering extremist narratives.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman described PMAS-AAUR students as ambassadors of peace and harmony. He said the university promotes an inclusive academic culture where faculty and administration regularly collaborate to review initiatives and plan future development. The vice chancellor expressed confidence that graduates of the university would continue to represent Pakistan positively at national and international levels.
The seminar also included presentations by Dr. Robina and Dr. Nimrah Ishfaq, who discussed psychological and social challenges faced by young people in the digital age. They outlined practical strategies to strengthen mental resilience and counter radicalization, particularly in online environments.
The session was coordinated by Prof. Dr. Ghulam Hussain Babar, who emphasized inclusiveness, optimism, and resilience as key values for youth. He urged students to take pride in Pakistan’s history and to resist negativity and pessimism.
The seminar concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, reflecting strong student interest in peacebuilding, social cohesion, and national development.
