ISLAMABAD – July 10, 2025: KhudMukhtar SAWI, a non-profit initiative focused on building resilient and inclusive communities, held a landmark event titled “Countering Extremism through Dialogue, Development & Inclusive Leadership” on Wednesday at the Khyber Network Auditorium, Islamabad. The event brought together prominent voices from national security, diplomacy, academia, development, and media to promote collaborative strategies for peacebuilding in Pakistan.
Opening Ceremony:
The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, setting a reflective tone for the day. Ms. Maryam Kaiwan, President of KhudMukhtar SAWI, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the organization’s commitment to sustainable peace through youth empowerment, development, and inclusive discourse.
Session 1: Development as a Deterrent to Extremism
Moderated by: Mubarak Ali, Chief Editor, Khyber News
This session focused on how poverty, marginalization, and underdevelopment fuel extremism, and how targeted development initiatives can serve as strong deterrents.
Panelists and Key Insights:
- Ihsan Ghani (Former DG IB, Ex-National Coordinator NACTA) emphasized that development must be part of the national counter-terrorism narrative. He stressed that without investment in education, infrastructure, and livelihoods in neglected regions, radical ideologies will continue to thrive.
- Ambassador Syed Abrar Hussain (Former Ambassador to Afghanistan) drew attention to the regional dynamics of extremism, underscoring the need for cross-border cooperation and inclusive diplomatic engagement to promote long-term peace.
- Dr. Irfan Mehsud (Professor, NDU) stated that socioeconomic injustice and political exclusion were root causes of extremism. He advocated for community-led development and participatory governance.
- Dr. Shabana reflected on the psychosocial impact of extremism, especially on women and children. She called for gender-sensitive development policies and greater representation of women in peace dialogues.
Following the discussion, the audience was invited to engage with the panelists during an interactive Q&A session, where thought-provoking questions were raised about policy implementation and grassroots-level challenges.
Tea Break
Attendees were served refreshments, creating an opportunity for networking among policymakers, journalists, academics, and civil society leaders.
Session 2: Media, Messaging & Deradicalization
This session explored the media’s powerful role in shaping narratives and countering extremist ideologies through positive messaging and inclusive storytelling.
Panelists and Key Insights:
- Kaiwan Hamid Raja (CEO, Khyber Digital & Executive Director, Khyber Network) spoke about the need for local media to reclaim digital spaces from radical elements. He emphasized the power of storytelling in regional languages to counter misinformation and promote national unity.
- Dr. Shafqat Munir Ahmad (SDPI) emphasized the importance of evidence-based narratives in the media and called for collaboration between journalists and researchers to promote peace narratives rooted in facts.
- Hassan Khan (Senior Journalist, Khyber News) underlined the responsibility of journalists to avoid sensationalism. He advocated for ethical reporting and highlighted the media’s role in amplifying the voices of peaceful communities affected by extremism.
- Fahad Malik (Digital Media Expert, Founder – Mumkin Foundation) focused on the digital front, warning about online radicalization trends among youth. He proposed a multi-platform digital strategy to engage vulnerable populations through relatable content, online influencers, and fact-checking tools.
The audience again participated in a lively Q&A session, raising important concerns about media censorship, algorithmic biases, and the safety of journalists covering extremism.
Closing Ceremony:
Souvenirs were presented to all the distinguished panelists as a token of appreciation. In her closing remarks, Ms. Maryam Kaiwan extended heartfelt thanks to all the speakers, moderators, attendees, and organizers. She reiterated KhudMukhtar SAWI’s mission to counter terrorism through dialogue, inclusive leadership, and developmental initiatives, especially in regions deeply affected by conflict.
The event served as a powerful platform to unite diverse sectors against extremism and promote sustainable peace in Pakistan. With actionable insights and a commitment to collaboration, KhudMukhtar SAWI’s initiative set a strong precedent for future peacebuilding efforts across the country.
