SWAT: Youth from different districts of Malakand division on Saturday called for a united and sustained movement for peace and said that terrorism and instability were not only destroying the region’s social fabric but also depriving its people of their resources, development and future.
The demand was made at a seminar titled ‘Peace Conference of the Youth of Malakand Division’, organised by the Ulasi Action Committee.
Young activists, students, lawyers, social workers and representatives from Swat, Lower Dir, Upper Dir,Shangla, Buner and Malakand attended the conference.
Prominent among the speakers were Tariq Shah of Upper Dir, Sultan Ali Khan, Ghairat Yousafzai, Haider Jan of Upper Dir, Eng Zahid Khan of the Insaaf Students Federation, Hamid Khan, Aziz Advocate, Haris Bacha of the Pakhtun Students Federation, Shahzad Khan of Shangla, Fayaz Zafar, Akmal Khan, Ajab Khan Toryaley and Maaz Khan of the Swat Readers Society.
They expressed serious concern over the continuing threat of terrorism, political instability and the exploitation of the region’s resources, and called for greater unity, political awareness and collective action by the youth.
They stressed the need for strong and principled leadership, saying the people should elect those who would stand firmly for their rights and interests and would not compromise on matters concerning peace and the future oftheir communities.
The speakers said there should be ‘no political compromises’ when it came to the rights and interests of people.
They also described the ongoing conflict as part of a wider struggle for resources and geopoliticalinterests.
This is a war for resources and a big power game, they said, adding that Pakhtuns continued to suffer as a result of the ongoing power struggle.
The speakers called for the peace movement to be expanded throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and for collective efforts and greater public mobilisation against violence and instability.
The speakers also highlighted the difficulties local communities faced because of militancy and extortion.
The speakers termed terrorism a monster that could not be defeated without collective action, political awareness and public mobilisation.
The participants also discussed the importance of mod-ern education and technology in empowering the youth. The speakers called for greater emphasis on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
They stressed that young people should be equipped with modern knowledge and technological skills to prepare them for the future.
The participants also discussed regional security, education,politicalrepresentation, youth participation and the need to protect the rights and resources of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The conference concluded with a call for greater unity among the youth of Malakand division and for extending the peace movement to other districts ofthe province.
Participants said sustainable peace, education, political awareness and economic opportunities were essential for securing a peaceful and prosperousfutureforthe people of KP.