On Monday, January 19, 2026, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi hosted a seminar on the role of youth in preventing and countering violent extremism, drawing students, faculty, deans and directors to discuss practical steps for resilience and engagement.
Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, Vice Chancellor of PMAS-AAUR and Patron-in-Chief of the Policy Dialogue Forum, welcomed participants while the session was honored by Dr. Ahmad Khawar Shahzad, DCO of the Punjab Centre of Excellence on CVE, as chief guest. Presenters also included Dr. Robina from the National Institute of Psychology Islamabad and Dr. Nimrah Ishfaq, national expert on de-radicalization. The event was coordinated by Prof. Dr. Ghulam Hussain Babar, Principal Officer Student Affairs.
Dr. Ahmad Khawar Shahzad praised the discipline and active participation of PMAS-AAUR students and highlighted the university’s research efforts such as the Centre of Precision Agriculture, the Pak-China Research Center for Water Efficient Technologies and the National Center of Industrial Biotechnology as markers of national progress. He urged students to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and to use innovation as a tool to prevent violent narratives and strengthen Youth CVE efforts across the country.
The Vice Chancellor emphasized that students are ambassadors of peace and that PMAS-AAUR’s inclusive approach and strategic planning by faculty and administration will help shape a positive image of Pakistan. He expressed confidence that graduates will carry forward values of harmony while contributing to national development and Youth CVE initiatives.
Speakers focused on the psychological and social pressures facing young people in the digital age, with Dr. Robina and Dr. Nimrah Ishfaq outlining strategies to build critical thinking and mental resilience against extremist narratives. Their recommendations centered on community engagement, digital literacy and targeted support mechanisms to reinforce Youth CVE on campus and beyond.
Prof. Dr. Ghulam Hussain Babar highlighted inclusiveness, optimism and resilience as essential qualities for students, encouraging pride in Pakistan’s history and a rejection of negativity. The seminar concluded with a lively question-and-answer session that reflected strong student interest in practical roles for peacebuilding and in applying entrepreneurial skills to counter extremism and support Youth CVE objectives.
