PESHAWAR: There is no better way to combat extremism and violence than by reviving good cultural traditions and encouraging constructive debates on the issues. South Asia Partnership-Pakistan held a peace festival in Peshawar to celebrate life and promote peace here in Peshawar on Friday.

The violence-affected people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining tribal areas could beat extremism and such trends by reviving their culture and holding constructive debates to promote peace. The peace festival, first of its kind in last two years, was attended by politicians, academicians, civil society members, students and journalists.

Artistes, mostly from stage and television, entertained those attending the festival. The participants also highlighted importance of such colourful events in Peshawar, which has seen violence in recent years.

SAP-Pakistan regional programme coordinator Allah Noor Afridi, regional manager Sikander Zaman and regional coordinator Naeemur Rasheed said that the function was held to encourage peace-loving citizens to take part in such cultural and political events. They said that this was an effective tool to combat extremism.

Festival held to encourage citizens to take part in cultural events

They informed the participants about a drive “citizen action for peace and development” launched under the auspices of SAP-Pakistan with a view to unite people for peace and development.

Leaders of different political parties, including former information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain, also spoke on the occasion. Mr Hussain paid tribute to all those who fell victim to militancy and terrorism in last one decade. He diverted attention of the participants towards the previous government’s policies to tackle violence and extremism in the province, saying that they had succeeded in restoration of writ of the law in the province and also confined the militants to tribal region.

He said that in this respect the previous government had suggested a full-fledged military action in Waziristan in 2009. He praised the present government for launching military action and said that he was hopeful of its positive outcome.

On behalf of media workers, journalist Shamim Shahid highlighted the media’s role in restoration of peace and harmony. He said that the media must portray the militants as criminals, anti-state and anti-social elements. He said that irrespective of their race, colour and religion the victims should be regarded as national heros. He said that by promoting peace and democracy, the media could easily discourage and defeat militants.

During the cultural festival, the SAP-Pakistan’s district organisers and partners also held an exhibition of traditional handicrafts. Audios and videos of previous cultural events, held in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and various agencies and regions of Fata, were also distributed amongst the participants.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2014