PESHAWAR: An event was held at Area Study Centre, University of Peshawar, on Thursday to mark International Volunteer Day wherein students, rights activists and faculty members shared their and termed volunteers as beacon of hope for humanity.

Glowing tributes were paid on the occasion to social workers, rights activists and philanthropists and their works were termed a ray of hope for communities across the globe.

Prof Dr Naeem Qazi, the vicechancellor of UoP, chaired the event. He said that International Volunteer Day (IVD) served as a platform for individuals, who devoted their energy and time to improve the well-being of communities being faced by variety of issues including poverty, social injusticeand lack of basic amenities of life.

`In emergency situation, volunteers often serve as first responders, providing assistance to ease the crises through their physical, psychological and human resources. They foster sense of empathy and empowerment among the suffering communities,` he said.

Prof Gulzar Jalal Yousafzai remarked that volunteering was not just about giving, it was also about receiving. He said that it helped them to acquire skills to overcome crisis, ease disastrous situation and conflicts. He added that Khudai Khidmatgar Tehreek was launched by Bacha Khan in early 1920s that became a formidable force where individuals affiliated with the movement would take firm oath to serve humanity irrespective of cast and creed.

He said that young people could play a vital role in furtherance of the cause of volunteering throughtheir services to support deserving communities. Volunteers` services in civilised societies looked upon as symbol of universal human spirit, he added.

`We cannot forget on this great day Abdul Sattar Edhi, whose outstanding services for the marginalised segments of our society would always be remembered with great veneration. Volunteers in academia and several other fields are required to participate in raising awareness regarding the significance of volunteer service,` he said.

Prof Shafiullah Khan Afridi on the occasion said that young people should take out time to engage in reaching out to needy communities.

Such efforts would not only support others but would also prove a source of spiritual satisfaction, he added.

Dr Shakeel Ahmad, Hurmat Haroon and Aizaz Ahmad also spoke at the event.