PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that the provincial government is taking every possible step to form a peaceful and violence-free society.

Addressing a meeting here, he said that establishment of the centre of excellence on countering extremism was a part of the efforts of the provincial government. He approved ‘Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Rules, 2022, for placement before the provincial cabinet for formal approval.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Higher Education Kamran Bangash, MPA Dr Asia Asad, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, administrative secretaries of relevant departments and the chief coordination officer of the centre, Dr Ayaz Khan.

The chief minister directed the officials concerned to ensure prompt release of funds to make the centre functional along with approving provision of required vehicles from the existing pool.

Says govt taking steps for violence-free society

The meeting was informed that an advertisement for the required staff was already floated and the recruitment process would be completed soon.

The centre will work as a research-based institute on countering violent extremism in the province and coping with the emerging issues and challenges springing from terrorism and subversive activities against the state through narratives of hatred, extremism, radicalisation, intolerance, abusing charities, funds generation for entities of concern, glorification of terrorism.

The vision behind establishing the centre is to create a society free of violent extremism and terrorism. It is a unique initiative of its kind not only in Pakistan but across Asia.

The chief minister said that provincial government was taking every possible step to create a peaceful and violence-free society. He added that establishment of the centre was also a part of that struggle.

Dr Ayaz Khan told Dawn that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the first province to legislate for the realisation and implementation of the revised National Action Plan.

He said that the centre was a local step with global impact in the establishment of peace. He said that it would undertake research, which would equally be beneficial for academia and policymakers to suggest way forward for the challenges of radicalisation, extremism and intolerance.

The centre will conduct research the data will be utilised for the plans and programmes involving youth and women. It will help in effective coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2022