Youth need platforms for dialogue to foster pluralism

Islamabad—Former provincial minister for human rights, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu has stressed the need to continue and strengthen the process of dialogue to decrease growing extremism in the country, noting that society lacked such engagement.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of a ‘National Report’ here at a local hotel, the ruling party lawmaker stated that incidents of intolerance in Pakistan were not state-sponsored, in contrast to the situation in neighbouring India.
“But people in our society have lost the sense of acceptance,” he said, highlighting the need to promote pluralism by accepting people from diverse ethnic, religious and linguistic backgrounds. “Dialogue among diverse groups could move this concept forward,” he added.
Earlier, the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) launched its report, “Building Bridges: Fostering Tolerance and Inclusivity among Youth”. The ceremony marked the conclusion of a two-day national workshop organized for the ‘Youth Observers Cohort’ to train them in implementing peace initiatives in their respective communities.
Diplomats, lawmakers, educationists, religious scholars, and youth from across the country participated in the event.
Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) ex-chairman Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi, while chairing the session, said they should understand the radical shift among different sects and segments of society. He hoped that participants of the workshop would carry out activities, through social action plans, in their communities to promote peace and tolerance.
Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, former member of the Planning Commission of Pakistan, said one of Pakistan’s key problems was a lack of opportunity for political participation for youth. He noted that the PIPS’ research reflected all ingredients of the positive potential of the youth, showing that “they can drive anything”.
Political analyst and human rights activist ex-senator Afrasiab Khattak said the phenomenon of extremism in Pakistan was not homegrown, underlining that social and cultural engineering had been carried out within society. “We would have to be optimistic and tolerate the difference of opinion,” he said, adding that disagreement creates new ideas.
Dr Khalid Masood, judge of the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court, said the society itself should take the initiative to end ongoing growing intolerance and extremism, instead of leaving everything to the state.
Educationist and author Dr Afshan Huma presented her critical review of the report and pointed out that more qualitative analysis was needed to use it effectively for the benefit of youth and policymaking. She called for promoting peaceful co-existence in society, rather than merely promoting the concept of tolerance. “Tolerance means that you start tolerating any individual or group without removing your own prejudices, biases, and stereotypes,” she said.
Speaking as the chief guest, Laurens Bistervels, First Secretary Political at the Netherlands Embassy in Islamabad, underscored the importance of promoting lessons of tolerance and pluralism. He advocated for supporting youth-led initiatives and platforms for dialogue. He called for encouraging policy measures that protect minority rights. “The Embassy of the Netherlands will continue to support these initiatives,” he said. He said that all stakeholders should reach out to policymakers for effective implementation of the recommendations outlined in the study.
PIPS President Muhammad Amir Rana said the study provided rich data, which would be shared with the research students and policymakers.
PIPS Project Manager Muhammad Murtaza presented key findings and recommendations of the report, highlighting thought patterns of youth across the country. The data has been compiled based on workshops and qualitative interviews and surveys conducted with students of universities, colleges and religious seminaries across the four provinces and Islamabad between November 2024 and June 2025.