PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Adviser on Education and Social Welfare Amir Abdullah has stressed that lasting peace is essential for economic activity, business growth and social development, underscoring the vital role of young people in driving positive change in society.
‘Young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow but also the leaders of today,’ he said, emphasising the need to listen to their ideas, harness their potential and ensure their meaningful participation in policymaking.
He was addressing the inaugural session of a two-day youth engagement workshop for young people from the merged districts in Peshawar.
The workshop was organised by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre for Countering Violent Extremism in collaboration with the Sustainable Social Development Organisation and the British High Commission.
Abdullah said the initiativeaimed to understand the challenges confronting young people in the merged districts, seek their recommendations and explore practical ways to promote peace and development.
He noted that young people had a better understanding of local needs and ground realities, making their involvement crucial to formulating effective policies and addressing issues related to peace and development.
Recalling his visits to the tribal districts during his tenure in the previous caretaker government, the adviser said his interactions with young people, tribal elders and government officials had provided valuable insights into the region’s challenges and priorities.
He observed that direct engagement with tribal youth had taught him more about the region than years of academic and professional involvement with tribal affairs.
The adviser said the work-shop offered policymakers an important opportunity to learn from young people, understand their experiences and incorporate their perspectives into future decisions.
He expressed hope that the working groups formed during the two-day event would develop practical recommendations, adding that he would personally review their proposals for possible incorporation into future policymaking.
Otherspeakers onthe opening day included Secretary Higher Education, Archives and Libraries Abidullah Kakakhel; former chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology and Federal Shariat Court, Prof Qibla Ayaz; Director of the KP Centre for Countering Violent Extremism Dr Qasim Khan; Additional Director General Muhammad Kashif Irshad; and Sustainable Social Development Organisation Chief Executive Officer Syed Kausar Abbas. APP