LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed has said that comprising youth a peace volunteer force will be constituted to combat the menace of terrorism.

`The members of the force will keep a vigil in their neighbourhoods so that no miscreant can fulfill any nefarious design,` said the minister in his keynote speech at the inaugural ceremony of the 6th National Youth Peace Festival at the Ali Institute of Education here on Tuesday.The minister said the fight against every kind of terrorism was under way and the entire nation was united in this regard.

`There are no good and bad Taliban. Stern action is and will be taken against whoever is against Pakistan. Our country is facing challenges and the main threat is terrorism which we have to fight to ensure peace and development in our country,` he said.

Pakistan`s youth could take the country to new heights because of their great potentialin various fields.

`We can do wonders for our country by properly utilising the potential of our youth which is inno way less than that of other countries. Pakistani youth have made the entire nation proud on several occasions by achieving international recognition in the field of education and sports,` he said.

US Consul-General in Lahore Zachary V Harkenrider appreciated Pakistan efforts for the eradication of terrorism.

Pakistan has been passing through testing time but has a very bright future and has a respectable status among the democratic nations in the world.

`By working together, civil society, the government, and individuals like yourselves can help build amore peaceful and tolerant Pakistan,` he said while recognising the efforts of the Punjab governmentandPakistan`sParliament to support civil society initiatives lil(e youth festivals that provide a positive counter-narrative against intolerance and extremism.

`Since the tragic events of December 16 last year, both the federal and the Punjab governments have shown outstanding leadership in confronting the central security challenges facing Pakistan in our times. This initiative, to develop young voices that will promote national unity, tolerance, and respect, is one more stepin the right direction.

`The US has been offering every possible cooperation to Pakistan in various fields, especially education,` said Mr Zachary, adding his country had offered 2,500 scholarships to Pakistan students.

`We will continue to encourage intelligent students in Pakistan in future as well,` he said.

MNA Shaista Pervaiz Malik, MPA Waqas Moakal, Balochistan Director Youth Affairs Afzal Muhammad Solehri and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Director Youth Affairs Muhammad Arshad also spoke.