Dialogue & Events

Continuous state-to-state and people-to-people engagement between Afghanistan and Pakistan required: PIPS national seminar

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On 29 November 2017, PIPS hosted a national seminar “Pakistan’s Relations with Afghanistan: Changing Dynamics and Future”. It was organized with the support of Frederich Ebert Stiftung (FES). The seminar was attended by scholars, diplomatic community, journalists, among others. The seminar called for continuous engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as the regional dynamics, especially in … Read more

A robust social contract puts people at center of the debate

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On 27 October 2017, PIPS launched “Imraani Muahiday ki Tashkeel-i-Nau (Reconstruction of Social Contract)”, authored by Dr. Khalil Ahmed, a political philosopher. The event was attended by teachers, academics, media, and was chaired by educationist A.H Nayer. The chair noted with curiosity that the book repeatedly points that different sections of the society have been calling for … Read more

Reintegrating militants should follow process, engaging parliament, laying down criteria

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A discussion forum on ‘Reintegration of militants: processes and practices’ was organized by Pak Institute for Peace Studies on 24 October 2017. Besides PIPS team, three international experts shared their perspectives. The event, attended by media personnel, academics, diplomatic community and think tank representatives, was chaired by former defense secretary Lt. Gen (Retd) Talat Masood. … Read more

PIPS hosts dissemination workshop aimed at countering violent extremism in Punjab

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On 13 October 2017, PIPS hosted a dissemination workshop in Lahore, sharing findings of the six Punjab dialogue forums discussing different aspects of countering violent extremism in the province. The forums were attended by a mix of scholars, academics, policy makers and civil society representatives. The dissemination workshop was chaired by Kazi Javed who appreciated … Read more

De-weaponization will reduce violence; requires state efficiency, attitudinal changes

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The need for de-weaponization is greatly felt in the country, where violence of multiple types, ranging from domestic to militancy, often resorts to easily-available weapons. Besides bringing upon attitudinal changes in the people to ward them off from display of weapons, the state should take lead role in ensuring efficient services especially security to the … Read more

‘Teachers can help curb emerging trend of radicalization in universities’

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Teachers in a day-long dialogue agreed that radicalization in the country is a multi-faceted phenomenon, hitting diverse segment of society, including students. Increasingly, some of them are reported to have fallen for radical messages through social media; others are unable to condemn the act of militants openly out of their deep-set biases. To overcome this … Read more

“Cultural spaces can win the battle of ideas while countering extremism”

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Provincial Dialogue Forum – 6 Countering extremism is like countering an idea, and what better way to do it than promoting cultural and literary spaces in the provinces. A culturally-aware child of today will be less tempted to pick up a weapon against his own culture tomorrow. These thoughts came in the last of the … Read more

“Scholarly spaces can scientifically diagnose extremism in Punjab”

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Provincial Dialogue Forum – 5 Scholars and intellectuals shall be provided prominence in the society to counter extremist sympathies in Punjab. In universities and colleges, intellectual debates shall be encouraged. Only then can they break the mould of extremism. These thoughts came in the fifth provincial dialogue forum on Punjab, held in Lahore, on 16 … Read more

‘Critical inquiry in today’s digital age a must for progress and peace’

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In today’s digital age, where wide information is readily accessible, students should be taught how to think critically for themselves. This way, not only will they seek solutions to the pressing issues around them, but they will also be mindful of narrow and parochial explanations of the same issues. That is the path to a … Read more

‘Teachers should open minds of students to create tolerant future’

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Teachers can build a tolerant future by equipping students with tools that open their minds to diverse opinions, beyond narrow confines. This way, they will not only let accept each other, but also enable them to find answers to critical intellectual questions of the country. This is the way forward. These thoughts came in a … Read more