Pakistan's commitment to combating terrorism and extremism extends to its efforts in the province of Balochistan. A seminar on 'Prevention and Countering Terrorism in Balochistan, Pakistan' was recently organized by Peace, Development, Research, and Education (PDRE) and Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering, and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) [db0d603e]. The seminar aimed to address the changing dynamics and new challenges of terrorism in Balochistan. The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the National Anthem of Pakistan. Prof. Dr. Abdul Wadood, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at BUITEMS, discussed the trends of terrorism in Balochistan and highlighted the need for effective strategies to counter them. Dr. Siraj Bashir, Director of Research at the Balochistan Think Tank Network, emphasized the importance of peacebuilding in Balochistan and the active engagement of youth in countering terrorism. Prof. Dr. Zahid Anwar, Pro Vice-Chancellor (retired) of the University of Peshawar and Director of PDRE, discussed the prevention and countering of terrorism in Balochistan, taking into account the significant regional changes since NATO's occupation of Afghanistan in 2001. The seminar concluded with a discussion on the continued efforts required to maintain peace and promote development in Balochistan [db0d603e].
Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has expressed the country's commitment to creating a world free of terrorism and extremism. He emphasized that both kinetic and non-kinetic measures are being taken to eliminate terrorism from its roots. Pakistan has suffered greatly from extremist tendencies, which pose a serious threat to social cohesion, peace, and harmony in the country. Despite enduring significant human and economic sacrifices, Pakistan is at the forefront of the fight against terrorism. The Minister highlighted the need to eradicate extremist propaganda and recruitment centers in order to foster a peaceful society. Mobilizing social forces and achieving societal consensus against extremism are crucial for sustainable peace. Various organizations in the country have made significant progress in limiting the space for terrorist organizations through initiatives such as the National Action Plan, National Internal Security Policy, and National Counter Extremism Policy Guidelines. The Minister emphasized that confronting extremist ideology is the only way to cultivate a culture that promotes mutual care, well-being, and appreciation of diversity. He also underscored the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as religious harmony, in promoting peace in the country [bba042b4].