SUKKUR: The Sukkur IBA University, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs, and Crime (UNODC), National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and with funding from the European Union, concluded the final conference of the project titled “Prevention of Violent Extremism through Youth and Women Empowerment and Engagement.”
The conference was held at Campus II of the university under the theme “Reflecting Impact, Sharing Stories, and Strengthening Futures.”
The event opened with a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Altaf Hussain Samo, director of the Executive Development Center, followed by opening remarks from Syed Hussain Haider, senior legal expert at the UNODC.
A key highlight of the conference was the presentation of success stories by youth and mothers from all five districts – including four from Sindh: Kashmore-Kandhkot, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki and one from Balochistan: Sibi.
These testimonies demonstrated the life-changing impact of targeted support in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, education, and peace-building.
The conference featured a dynamic panel discussion that explored the challenges faced during the project, key lessons learned, and strategies for ensuring long-term sustainability.
The panel comprised Dr. Zulfiqar Kalhoro (CEO, SRSO), Syed Hussain Haider (UNODC), Dr. Naveed Akhter Qureshi (Focal Person, Kandhkot), and Sajjad Hussain (Focal Person, Jacobabad).
The discussion highlighted the importance of creating safe digital spaces, promoting inclusive education, and fostering sustained community engagement as essential tools to counter extremist narratives and support peaceful development at the grassroots level.
The project achieved significant progress in promoting community resilience and preventing violent extremism. It successfully trained 6,031 youth in soft skills, entrepreneurship, Future Job Landscape and Higher Education Opportunities —surpassing its original targets. Awareness sessions across five districts engaged 500 young participants in meaningful discussions on social harmony and peaceful coexistence.
Additionally, 53 lead trainers were prepared through a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme to ensure the sustainability of peer learning.
The initiative also empowered 150 mothers with parenting skills, emotional resilience, and financial literacy to build stronger, more resilient households. Many of the trained youths went on to pursue higher education, establish small businesses, and launch digital platforms—extending the project’s impact beyond its original scope.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Asif Ahmed Shaikh, vice chancellor, Sukkur IBA University, stated: “This collaboration with the UNODC and the European Union is a remarkable step toward sustainable peace. Empowering our youth and mothers is not just preventive—it is transformative. Sukkur IBA University is proud to lead this meaningful change.”
This activity marks a significant milestone of the project- CPTP, Countering and Preventing Terrorism in Pakistan. Funded by the EU, led by NACTA and executed by the UNODC Pakistan with its 30 partner civil society organisations like the Sukkur IBA University, the project is aimed at empowering community resilience against violent extremism and acts of violence via a three-pronged strategy. These three key components are: strengthen the capacity of criminal justice institutions, strengthen victim support through an effective legal system, foster community engagement via developing sustainable networks.
The conference served as a platform to celebrate achievements, share stories of transformation, and lay the groundwork for sustaining peace and resilience at the grassroots level.
Published in News Daily on 04 July 2025.